the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Water Resources Department (WRD) on Monday informed that “temporary embankment” of Mapusa River was done to facilitate dredging work of the river.
After pictures of alleged landfilling of Mapusa River went viral, the water resources department erected a board with details of the dredging work taken up by the department.
“Work for improvement of waterways of Mapusa River from Tari Bridge to NH-17 in VP Bastora is taken up at Rs 43.24 lakh,” a notice on the site said.
It also states that the work was being undertaken by Luis Constructions of Tuem, Pernem which commenced on February 6 and was expected to be completed by April 6.
A resident of Mapusa, Rui Da Gama on Sunday had filed a complaint at the Mapusa Police Station urging the police to file a complaint against the director of WRD, PWD and the contractor for failing to have required
permissions.
He said he witnessed 200 truck dumping mud in the river. He further said there was no display board with work details, nor was the contractor able to produce environment clearance licence.
“It’s a temporary embankment which has been done to facilitate the dredging of the river. We have done this in many other places. The mud dumped in the river will be gradually removed while carrying out de-silting of the river,” said Pradeep Gad, Assistant Engineer of WRD.
In the meanwhile, officials of Captain of Ports (CoP) visited the area on Monday and directed the WRD to stop work in the river. “We have written to the CoP with all details of the work. We expect work on the project to resume soon,” Gad informed.
In the meanwhile Bastora, Sarpanch, Savio Martins appealed to public not to obstruct the ongoing dredging work of the river.
“Some people say that marine life will be killed due to ongoing dumping of mud. I want to ask the same people to come and see the condition of the river. It’s putrid and the de-silting work will restore the river to an extent,” Martins said.
