Monsoon catches Mapusa with several key works still pending

PWD workers undertake drainage improvement works at Khorlim, Mapusa, ahead of heavy monsoon showers. The area witnessed flooding last year and remains one of the town's vulnerable spots.

MAPUSA
Despite the onset of the monsoon, several crucial pre-monsoon preparedness works in Mapusa town remain incomplete, raising concerns over the town's readiness to handle heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
The shortcomings came to light during a review meeting convened by Bardez Deputy Collector Varsha Parab on Friday to assess monsoon preparedness across departments.
The meeting was called following a memorandum submitted by the civil society group Together for Mapusa (TFM), which had urged the administration to review the status of pre-monsoon works and conduct a mock drill to ensure coordination among departments during emergencies.
During the meeting, officials acknowledged delays in several key works. The Mapusa Municipal Council is yet to complete drainage cleaning in parts of the town, while the Water Resources Department (WRD) has not finished the desilting and cleaning of nullahs.
In addition, several dangerous trees and overhanging branches remain untrimmed, and the Public Works Department (PWD) has yet to adequately secure or fence hazardous structures in the town.
Representatives from most government departments attended the meeting, although officials from the electricity and water supply departments were absent.
Department representatives informed the Deputy Collector that the pending works were in advanced stages and would be completed shortly. Parab directed all concerned departments to expedite the remaining works and submit compliance reports without delay.
Reacting to the review, TFM president Mahesh Rane said the meeting exposed the gap between official claims and ground realities. "The monsoon has already set in, and fortunately, it has not arrived in full force. Otherwise, Mapusa would have once again faced flooding. The situation reflects a lack of commitment and accountability on the part of several departments," Rane told The Goan.
He pointed out that works in several flood-prone areas, including Cunchelim, Gotnicho Vav, Khorlim, the vicinity of Mapusa Church and sections of the municipal market, remain either incomplete or poorly executed. He urged authorities to ensure that all vulnerable locations receive immediate attention before rainfall intensifies.
TFM member Vijay Bhike also questioned the pace of work undertaken by the municipality. He noted that despite having a sizeable workforce and outsourcing certain activities, the civic body had failed to complete several essential pre-monsoon tasks, leaving residents apprehensive about the town's preparedness for the peak monsoon season.