MARGAO
Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and his senior counterpart from Margao, Digambar Kamat, descended on the banks of river Sal at Khareband bridge, to unitedly take up the issue of de-weeding of the river, fearing that any blockade of the movement of rainwater in the ensuing monsoons may flood both Benaulim and Comba areas.
Both Kamat and Venzy inspected the stretches of the river Sal, where the de-weeding of the river was underway near the Khareband bridge. With officials of various agencies in tow, the duo expressed concern that any neglect in desilting the water nullahs leading to the river Sal will have an impact on the movement of monsoon water and affect Comba as well.
The Margao MLA also raised questions over the concretization of the embankment of the river Sal, saying it could have disastrous consequences on the ecology. “Common sense demands that the river is first de-silted and de-weeded and observed for a year before strengthening the embankment. The concrete embankment may have an impact in the future,” he added.
Venzy pointed out that the joint inspection by him and his senior colleague from Margao Digambar Kamat was an attempt to closely monitor the ongoing desilting and de-weeding works underway at river Sal.
He appealed to the constituents of Benaulim and Margao to draw the attention of their MLAs if they come across weeds in the river.
Venzy pointed out that while the river Sal has been de-silted, the contractor is duty-bound to look after the maintenance, including de-weeding for three years.
“We have come together to save Sal as well as the communities inhabiting the banks of the river. This is the first step and we will together ensure that the river Sal is restored to its glory,” Venzy added.
