MARGAO
Velim MLA Cruz Silva on Sunday expressed his disappointment over the de-silting of the river Sal at the Assolna stretch, as he wondered whether the exercise is being carried out to rejuvenate the river or to facilitate the movement of big vessels in the river.
He also questioned the rationale behind dumping at the site along the mangrove and in the middle of the river, when the tender conditions mandate the contractor to lift away the silt from the river.
During an inspection with the de-silting contractor at Assolna on Sunday, the MLA questioned why many areas, especially on the banks of the river, have been left out from the de-silting work. He pointed out that large stretches of the river along the river banks have been left out of the work.
When the contractor sought to defend the work, pointing out that the de-silting is to be carried out only on the Cavelossim side, the MLA wondered whether the government is carrying out the de-silting for huge vessels to enter the river under the guise of river Sal rejuvenation.
The MLA has decided to bring the matter to the notice of the Captain of Ports to ensure that the tender conditions are complied with strictly by the contractor.
“I am not happy with the de-silting work carried out by the contractor. The contractor says the work is mostly done on the Cavelossim side of the river. We had asked the department to carry out the de-silting to protect the interests of the fishermen inhabiting the banks of the river,” he said while expressing his disappointment over the work.
