A video has gone viral on social media where in it is seen that a labourer is fetching water from river Mandovi with a bucket and using the same for concrete mixes. The concrete mixes were used for laying the foundation for the streetlights on the Mandovi promenade in Panaji by the State Electricity Department appointed contractor. It is obvious that the contractor is taking the easy way out to fetch water by using saline water instead of fresh water for preparing the concrete mix. Research indicates that seawater is not suitable for the mixing and curing of both plain and reinforced concrete in marine conditions. Seawater contains dissolved salt and total salinity is approximately 3.5%, of which 78% is sodium chloride. Salt indirectly damages concrete driveways and sidewalks. Salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored, cracked and crumbling concrete. An enquiry needs to be initiated regarding use of saline water for concrete mixes at the Mandovi promenade and necessary action taken as per law.
