MARGAO
Come December and the contaminated Colva creek running parallel to the entrance of the iconic Colva beach, may be restored to its past glory.
Ambitious work on the restoration and beautification of the Colva creek at an estimated cost of around Rs nine crore has got underway and is expected to be completed by December this year.
The Water Resources department headed by Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues has taken up the work of construction of a retaining wall along the creek. An open type bhandara has been planned for the storage of the monsoon water, with a view to store water for use of agricultural purpose, mainly for the rabi crop cultivation.
A sewerage treatment plant for the treatment of water from the creek is part of the project, Filipe Neri informed.
The project includes construction of around six footbridges across he creek for the farmers to cross and to transport agricultural goods, machinery etc.
Given that visitors used the creek to dispose of waste, including plastic waste, the project entails covering of the creek with wire mesh to prevent plastic, garbage from finding its way in the water body.
Construction of footpath along the sideway and fixing of electric light poles along the footpath are some of the measures proposed as part of the beautification plan.
The Colva creek had hit the headlines a couple of years ago when the water body played host to the sewage waters released by the commercial establishments operating in the tourist village, forcing local activist Judith Almeida to knock the doors of the High Court.
