VASCO
Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar along with South Goa Collector Ruchika Katyal and officials of various departments on Tuesday carried out a joint inspection to take preventive measures in the landslide-prone area of Voddant in Vaddem.
The inspection lasted for over an hour with officials from the land survey, fire and emergency, mamlatdar, and deputy collector apprising the South Goa collector of suggestions, including seeking NOCs to construct a retaining wall, as a preventive measure for the area.
Later speaking to the media, Katyal said the area is vulnerable to landslides and that a woman had died two years ago after a boulder from the hill came crashing down onto her house.
"We have inspected the area with various departments to check what can be done to take care of the vulnerability and we are working on it to find a solution. We have the MLA with us and we will take his help to seek NOCs to have either a retaining wall or flattening of the slope to prevent landslides. This will be finally decided by the technical departments," said Katyal.
Vasco MLA Daji Salkar said the inspection was necessary considering the forthcoming monsoons.
"Following a landslide which claimed the life of a woman two years ago, nothing had been done. As a result, we had a series of meetings six months ago and had put up a proposal to take steps to give relief to these people and prevent landslides.”
“We also got compensation for the victims of the landslide and following our request to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, he had instructed the South Goa collector to inspect the site," said Salkar.
Salkar said he would try to get NOCs from landowners for works in the area on top priority.
“The estimate for a retaining wall is around Rs 7 crore and it will be a lengthy process.”
“The CM has sanctioned Rs 4 lakh to one party under disaster management and the second party who had applied will also get compensation. Besides, locals will unite to rebuild the houses which had been damaged due to the landslide two years ago," Salkar added.
