Marcaim MLA and Power Minister Sudin Dha valikar has assured that railings will be installed on the Portuguese-era laterite culvert in Kavlem to elimi nate safety hazards, follow ing a report published in O Heraldo. Speaking to the media after inaugurating a newly constructed Ganesh idol immersion shed near the site, Dhavalikar also com mitted to beautifying the surrounding area.
O Heraldo had highlight ed in its September 11 edi tion that the 10-metre-long, two-arch architectural structure—located roughly 100 metres from the Shan tadurga Temple—lacked protective railings, pos ing a grave risk to locals and visitors. Dhavalikar recalled that a previous inspec tion by a Public Works Department (PWD) techni cal team revealed the cul vert is structurally weak. Comparing it to the old Patto bridge in Panjim, he explained that the Kav lem culvert faces intense monsoon flooding from the main nullah, which has weakened its founda tion. Despite its condition, protective railings will be installed to address public safety concerns.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Addressing broader en vironmental measures in Ponda, the Minister noted that retaining walls have been built around the main nullah and a 12 MLD Sew age Treatment Plant (STP) was successfully commis sioned with the assistance of former Kavlem sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar. However, he stated that proposed STP projects at Curti and Bandora were stalled by local opposi tion, resulting in unre solved sewage issues and ongoing pollution in the nullah.
