MARGAO
Chairperson of the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority, Asvin Chandru has directed the Cuncolim Municipal Chief Officer to fill the open well near the Cuncolim Industrial Estate to prevent cattle and the general public from falling into the well.
The well dug up by a fish processing unit outside the Cuncolim Industrial Estate was at the centre of a bitter controversy last year after locals protested over the activity, demanding its closure. The Water Resources department had later confiscated the pumping set and other items from the well, but the well continued to pose a threat to cattle and humans without any barricading.
Exercising powers under sections 30, 33, 34, 65 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the District Collector, who is also the Chairperson of South Goa District Disaster Management Authority, has directed the Chief Officer, Cuncolim Municipal Council to fill the open well falling partly in Survey No. 335 and 336 near Cuncolim Industrial Estate, up to the ground level immediately to prevent cattle and general public falling into the well.
The Chief Officer has been told to use eco-friendly materials/sand, in coordination with the Executive Engineer, Div-13 (XIII), WRD Complex, Water Resources Department, Gogol, Margao, so as not to cause any environmental damage and hazard.
The CMC Chief Officer has been further directed to submit a detailed report on the action taken, including photographic evidence and compliance report latest by 5.30 pm on May 31. The Collector has warned that any contravention of the order will attract action under section 57 of the Disaster Management Act 2005.
In his order, the District Collector has pointed out that the open well poses a significant threat to the safety of the local populace and animals, especially during the ensuing monsoons. “The risk of accidental falls, water contamination, and related hazard is considerably heightened during this period,” Asvin Chandru stated in his order.
