PANJIM: The first monsoon showers in the State triggered familiar scenes as rains lashed several parts of the State capital on Friday, inconveniencing motorists and pedestrians. Major roads, including the Dayanand Bandodkar Marg and 18th June Road, were water logged.
Reacting to the flooding in several parts of the city, Panjim Mayor Vithal Chopdekar said the main reason could be the choked cross drains.
“Today we cleared the cross drainage near Bal Bhavan in Campal, it was choked and the water could not pass through. Now as it is cleared there will be no problem in that area. We also are cleaning the cross drainage near Miramar,” Chopdekar said.
He added, “This year there was delay in clearing the drains as there was shortage of labour. We had received the circular and approval from DMA for labour but the file was held up in CCP. Now are working overtime.”
He further said that another major reason for the drains getting blocked is plastic waste such as bags and bottles which clog the drains and in turn leads to flooding.
Panjim residents told Herald that the main reason for flooding on 18th June Road is the failure of CCP to keep the drains clear of plastic and other garbage.
A resident of Panjim said, “The plastic waste strewn on the roadside blocks the gutters. The authorities should regularly clean the gutters during the rains.”
