the goan I network
MARGAO
Strange it may seem, but true that while the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is more than willing to set up Cyclone Risk Mitigation Centres in Salcete, opposition from the local populace and paucity of land has come in the way of these centres from taking shape along the coastal belt.
That's not all. Central agencies are presently conducting a survey of the installation of the early cyclone warning systems along the State's coastal belt, with survey completed along the North Goa coast.
Incidentally, Cyclone Risk Mitigation Centres may take shape in Mormugao taluka, around three centres at Dabolim, Zuari Nagar and Cuellim, even as the authority has planned a host of centres at Pernem, Pilerne and Chapoli in Canacona.
After TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai scuttled plans by the National Disaster Management Authority to set up a cyclone risk mitigation centre at the GSUDA acquired fields near the wholesale fish market, the authority is groping in the dark on how to find the required land and to allay the apprehensions of the local populace.
Senior officials informed that the Authority had initially identified land at Cumbheabhatt in the jurisdiction of Velim village panchayat more than a year ago. The Education department was more then willing to make available its land for the project, but the project came under stiff opposition from the local populace. "The land was made available by the Education department, but the local populace opposed the project. We had planned a ground plus two storied building at Velim, but the project could not take off due to objection from the local populace," the official said.
He, however, hastened to add that the authority is still willing to consider Velim for the cyclone risk mitigation centre if the local panchayat body gives a NOC for the project.
While Salcete may lose the opportunity to have the cyclone risk mitigation centres in the taluka, Mormugao taluka may benefit as the authority are all bracing up to build three centres at Dabolim, Zuari Nagar and Cuellim. "We have tendered work on the centres in Mormugao taluka. The centres will hopefully take shape in the near future," he added.
The cyclone risk mitigation centres are funded in a 70:30 ratio, with the Centre making available major chunk of the funds, with the State government chipping only 30 per cent. Each of the centres are expected to cost the exchequer around Rs 3 crore, with a provision for ground plus three storied building.
"While the ground floor will have a provision for the sick and the elderly, the first and second floor are meant for women and men respectively," sources said.
Officials pointed out that though these buildings are expected to act as cyclone risk mitigation centres, the premises can be used for other purposes, rest of the year.
