WRD begins operation cleanup, locals urge permanent fix
CLEARING THE CLUTTER: WRD machinery at work removing dense vegetation from the Murar water body in Tivim as part of pre-monsoon preparations.
Photo Credits: Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
With monsoon just weeks away, authorities have begun clearing thick vegetation from the Tivim rivulet at Murar, which was identified as a key cause of flooding in the area during last year’s rainy season.
However, residents and local observers fear that the measures being taken are only superficial and will not prevent a repeat of last year’s inundation unless the root cause – a leak in the nearby Tillari canal – is addressed.
For more than a fortnight, machinery deployed by the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been removing dense aquatic weeds that have carpeted the surface of the rivulet.
The overgrowth is blamed for obstructing the flow of water, leading to a backup that caused severe flooding in the low-lying areas of Murar during the 2023 monsoon.
“Last year, several homes were flooded. People suffered a lot. The vegetation clogged the water flow completely. We welcome the cleanup, but this is like treating the symptom and ignoring the disease,” said Robert Colaco, a resident of the area.
Residents claim the recurring problem is being fed by a persistent leak in the Tillari canal, located a short distance away from the rivulet.
The fresh water from the canal is believed to be seeping into the brackish water of the Tivim river system, altering its salinity and encouraging rampant aquatic vegetation growth.
“The salinity in the river is what keeps such vegetation in check. But when fresh water continuously leaks into it, it creates the perfect environment for these weeds to thrive. Unless the leakage is plugged, this problem will return year after year,” explained Vishal Desai, a local environmental enthusiast
While the WRD has acknowledged the presence of vegetation and has committed to its removal, officials appeared non-committal about the alleged canal leak.
“We are currently focused on clearing the rivulet before the rains. As for the Tillari canal, we’ll need to study the matter further and take appropriate action if needed,” said a WRD official on condition of anonymity.
Locals argue that the cleanup drive, while necessary, is not a long-term solution and could become a recurring financial burden on the exchequer if the leakage isn’t fixed.
"The government is spending money every year to remove the weeds, but unless they solve the leakage issue, the vegetation will keep coming back. It’s a waste of public funds," said another resident.
Locals urged the government to take swift and comprehensive action – both by continuing the cleanup and by launching a technical inspection and repair of the Tillari canal.
