Sal’s makeover masks deeper environmental concerns

River Sal – a carpet of water hyacinth occupied the river stretch at Benaulim, while the Margao stretch is de-weeded at the Khareband Bridge.

MARGAO
The two faces of River Sal came to the fore on Thursday – beautification on one bank and pollution concerns on the other, reflecting cosmetic fixes and persistent concerns.

In fact, the two-kilometre stretch of River Sal between Mungul and Khareband bridges witnessed contrasting scenes on Thursday, underscoring the challenges facing what is often described as the lifeline of Salcete.

Consider this. At the Khareband Bridge, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, accompanied by Margao Municipal councillor Mahesh Amonkar and government officials, inspected ongoing beautification works along the riverfront. The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress, describing the initiative as a step towards enhancing the area’s aesthetic appeal.

However, around the same time near the Mungul Bridge, officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the Margao Urban Health Centre, the Waste Management Department, and the Margao Municipal Council were engaged in a very different exercise. Acting on reports of rampant waste dumping into the river, the team conducted inspections to verify the complaints and assess the extent of pollution.

The contrasting developments along the same stretch of the river highlight a troubling reality: all is not well with River Sal, despite cosmetic improvements in certain pockets. Environmentalists and social activists have repeatedly argued that piecemeal measures have failed to rejuvenate the river. They continue to press for a comprehensive, holistic plan to restore River Sal to its former ecological health.

That’s not all. Questions also remain over the status of key recommendations made in the past. Notably, R K Pandey, an expert deputed by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, had proposed a comprehensive drainage system for River Sal, especially for the stretch between Mungul and Khareband Bridges to stop flooding. The fate of that recommendation, however, remains unclear.

As beautification efforts move ahead in parts of the riverfront, the larger issue of pollution control and sustainable restoration continues to demand urgent and coordinated action.

Kamat reviews Sal beautification work at Khareband bridge

PWD Minister Digambar Kamat taking a close look at the ongoing beautification of River Sal near the Khareband Bridge.

MARGAO: PWD Minister Digambar Kamat on Thursday took time off from his scheduled visit to the Khareband ward of the Margao Municipal Council to personally inspect the ongoing beautification works along the River Sal near the Khareband Bridge.

Accompanied by Margao Municipal councillor Mahesh Amonkar and civic officials, the minister reviewed the progress of the riverfront development and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work.

Responding to queries from the media on whether concrete steps were being taken to restore River Sal to its pristine condition, Kamat said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the river’s restoration has already been prepared. “Once the DPR is finalised and compiled, it will be forwarded to the government for approval, sanction of funds and tendering,” the minister stated.

The stretch of River Sal falling under Margao’s jurisdiction has undergone visible improvements, with the Khareband Bridge whitewashed, the river de-weeded and illumination facilities installed to enhance the area’s appearance.

Kamat also suggested the erection of fencing or barriers along the bridge to prevent motorists from dumping waste into the river. “The Borim Bridge has fencing on both sides. I will ask PWD officials to examine the feasibility of erecting similar fencing at the Khareband Bridge to stop waste from being thrown into the river,” he said.

While the beautification efforts and proposed preventive measures may curb waste dumping at specific points, concerns persist over the broader health of River Sal, which flows from Verna before joining the sea at Betul.

Two years ago, central expert R K Pandey submitted a series of recommendations to the Goa government, including a comprehensive drainage plan aimed at preventing flooding in the Khareband-Benaulim belt. The report also called for de-silting of the river from Mungul to Khareband, construction and strengthening of riverbanks, and additional culverts along the Khareband-Varca road near the Mercado mall. However, the government is yet to act on these recommendations.

Joint inspection reveals waste dumping, pollution at Mungul

Rampant waste dumping and sewage flow came to the fore near the Mungul Bridge during inspection by GSPCB, Health and MMC officials.

MARGAO: Rampant waste dumping in River Sal and an adjoining culvert near the Mungul Bridge has come to light following a joint inspection by authorities, exposing the neglected condition of the river stretch in the area.

Officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Margao Urban Health Centre, Waste Management Department and the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) conducted a site inspection to verify complaints of garbage being indiscriminately dumped into the river and the nearby culvert.

During the inspection, officials confirmed the presence of waste in both the culvert and the river.

A health official stated that garbage was indeed found at the site, as highlighted in the complaint. “Since the MMC representative was present during the inspection, he was instructed to ensure that the waste is cleared at the earliest and that no further dumping takes place,” the official said.

The inspection was convened by the GSPCB, and officials indicated that they would await further directions from the Pollution Control Board regarding action to be taken.

The development assumes significance at a time when beautification work is underway along the River Sal near the Khareband Bridge. In contrast, no such activity has been initiated at the Mungul Bridge stretch.

While PWD Minister Digambar Kamat suggested the erection of fencing at the Khareband Bridge to prevent motorists from throwing waste into the river, questions are being raised about whether similar preventive measures will be considered for the Mungul Bridge, which falls within the Fatorda constituency.

A local resident from Mungul expressed concern over the disparity. “There is visible beautification at the Khareband Bridge, but nothing of that sort at Mungul. We hope the GSPCB will suggest concrete measures to stop waste dumping into the river here,” the resident said.

The inspection has once again brought into focus the uneven attention given to different stretches of River Sal, even as pollution and waste management continue to pose serious challenges.