Team Herald
PONDA: Ponda Deputy Collector Pradeep Naik on Monday held a meeting with various government officials including Water Resources Department and Police to discuss on how to prevent drowning cases at Kodar River and abandoned laterite stone quarries.
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GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins was also present along with Ponda Police Inspector Mohan Gaude.
Deputy Collector Naik said, “The meeting was convened following a complaint by Martins after number of drowning cases of youngsters at Kodar River during picnics in summer season was reported in local dailies.”
He informed that an inspection along with the officials will be held at Kodar River on July 19, to take preventive measures.
Martin said that he has taken steps to prevent drowning cases at the picnic spots and to save lives of the youngsters. First time in history, World Drowning Preventive Day will be observed on July 25 and the NGO will create more awareness.
The officials from various departments such as Mines and Geology, PWD, Excise, WRD, Agriculture, Fire and Emergency Services besides Police Inspector, BDO, Ponda Mamlatdar along with GOACAN co-ordinator attended.
It may be noted that the GOACAN had expressed concern about the increase in drowning cases occurring in the Kodar River in Ponda Taluka following news reports published by Herald and in complaint to Deputy Collector highlighted the need for the various agencies to jointly address the same.
In a letter to the Ponda Deputy Collector and SDM Pradeep Naik, the GOACAN had pointed out that media reports have shown that there have been a series of drowning cases in the Kodar River but there has not been a long term solution in place.
Following this, Deputy Collector convened a joint meeting of the concerned authorities to draw up a short and long term action plan to curb these drowning cases.
