the goan I network
MAPUSA
Monsoon is knocking on the door, but contract workers were seen ambling at their task to clear choked drains in various parts of Mapusa.
Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Rohan Kavlekar told The Goan that most of the pre-monsoon activity was completed and the balance works would be accomplished before May 6 when monsoon was expected to lash the state.
As the civic body gives a final push to complete the pre-monsoon works in the city, The Goan gives a low down on the activity.
Cross drains untouched:
While most of the city drains have been cleaned, several cross drains have been untouched, leaving scope for water logging during a heavy downpour. “I don’t understand the logic of clearing the open drains, but leaving the cross drains untouched. During a heavy shower, rainwater will drain out only if cross drains are not clogged. This pre-monsoon works appears rather superficial,” said Kenneth Carvalho of Gaunsa-vaddo.
While some drains were yet to be cleared, contract workers at one of the sites appeared casual in their work.
No records on nullahs:
Kavlekar informed that clearing of the city nullahs has been entrusted to the water resources department and they were up to the job. “The nullah in my ward in Khorlim has been cleaned. WRD is expected to complete the works of remaining nullahs before June 6,” Kavlekar said.
While civic officials depend on the WRD, a key nullah running between Chacha Nehru Park and Mapusa post office was yet to be cleaned.
Surprisingly, the engineering department has no records on the length of the nullahs in the city. “Why only MMC, even the WRD does not have records on the length of nullahs,” an official in the engineering department disclosed.
Areas prone to waterlogging:
While several areas in the city are prone to waterlogging, a little imagination by the civic body could help avoiding flooding of key areas.
The main road opposite Counto Honda showroom in Duler is prone to flooding during a heavy downpour.
The MMC has cleaned the open drains in the area while drains covered with concrete slabs have not been touched.
An old cross drain across the road which earlier led the rainwater into the zonal agriculture office compound has not been touched for several years.
The road opposite Chacha Nehru Park is also prone to water logging. Despite efforts to widen the cross drain, the MMC has failed to find ways to tide over the waterlogging crisis in the area.
The road opposite Bank of Goa, near Soares tyre works, is also prone to flooding.
Garbage, debris in open space:
Garbage and debris was seen dumped in open space at several places in the city. The civic body has a task on hand to clear the debris and waste languishing on roads and open space before the monsoon hits the State.
Roads need patchwork:
Several city roads are either worn out or have potholes in varying shapes and sizes. To add to the misery, a telecom company that has cut roads to insert optical fibre cable has done a slipshod job in covering the trenches which could pose danger to two-wheeler riders.
Also, sewerage chambers in the middle of the roads have left uneasy depressions on quite a few roads in the city.
A patchwork before the monsoon lashes the state could go a long way in alleviating difficulties for pedestrians and vehicle owners.
