MARGAO
With monsoons fast approaching, South Goa District Collector and Chairperson, District Disaster Management Authority, Ruchika Katyal, IAS, has issued directions to different agencies to carry out pre-monsoon works including trimming of trees on roadsides, removal of dangerous buildings, desilting of nallahs and gutters which may cause danger to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
While calling upon the agencies to work on a war-footing and submit compliance by May 5, the Collector has warned of action under Section 57 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, and fix liabilities on the officials in case of any untoward incident and casualties due to non-compliance
The directions have been issued to the Chief Officers of Margao, Cuncolim, Curchorem-Cacora, Quepem, Ponda, Canacona, Mormugao & Sanguem Municipal Council, besides the Superintendent Engineer, Circle 1, Electricity Department, Aquem-Margao, the Superintendent Engineer Circle I, IV and V, WRD, the Superintendent Engineer Circle IV (Roads), PWD, Fatorda, the Managing Director Sewerage & Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa and the Dy Director of Panchayat, (South), Margao.
The Collector has expressed fears that failure to carry out the pre-monsoon preparatory work may cause loss of life and livelihood of the general public and lead to eventualities like flooding, obstruction of traffic and collapse of buildings.
The following activities under the National Disaster Management Act have been directed by the Collector. These also include desilting of nallahs by the municipalities, village panchayats and Water Resources Department, identification of dangerous buildings under the jurisdiction of municipalities, panchayats and necessary action to prevent collapse/damage of such dangerous buildings, besides clearing and desilting of all drains in the jurisdiction of local bodies.
The PWD, municipalities and village panchayats have been directed to carry out trimming of dangerous branches leaning on the roads which are likely to fall and cause damage to life and property.
