VASCO
In a significant step towards mitigating flooding and improving agricultural conditions, Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas on Tuesday initiated the desilting of farm drains in the fields at Velsao.
Vas launched the project in the presence of Cortalim ZP Merciana Vas, Pale Tole Xetkaranche Association ( PTXA ) President Roquezinho Dsouza and others.
This project is expected to provide much-needed relief to local farmers by enhancing the drainage system and preventing waterlogging and inundation of farmland during the monsoon season.
The desilting operation, conducted with the active involvement of the PTXA, saw workers removing silt and debris that had accumulated over time in the drains with a machine provided by the WRD.
Cortalim MLA Anton Vas said the effort aims to ensure free flow of water, thereby reducing the risk of flooding in the agricultural fields.
“The water was not flowing through the drains and many a times the farms became mucky, which caused issues while we launched other machines like harvesters and tillers. We then had to get JCBs to get the machines out of the farm and we are now desilting a stretch of around 2 kms so that there is free flow of water which has not happened for several years. This is for the first time that we are taking up the desilting of the farm drainages so that they are not inconvenienced” Said Vas
Roquezinho D’Souza, President of the Velsao-Pale Farmers Association, emphasised the significance of this initiative. “We had recently desilted the lake with the help of MLA Anton Vas after many years. However, the field drains were still a problem, leading to flooding in the fields. We had requested the MLA to clean the drains that leads to the ‘Poi’ so that water is not filled in our farms,” said D’Souza.
“With this desilting work, our issues will be resolved and help us with a great yield.”
