PORIEM: Despite heavy flooding, two years ago Valpoi municipal council has failed to complete the premonsoon works this year.
The cleaning of the storm water drains, nullahs and trimming of trees in all the 10 wards of Valpoi municipal council (VMC) had to becompleted before the onset of the monsoon, however, Valpoi municipal council has failed to do it even as the monsoon has already arrived.
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Two years back, due to heavy rains there was flooding resulting in water logging in entire Valpoi town. Many homes had collapsed, two minor bridges were washed away and barely the roofs of houses were visible in most parts of Sattari.
Last year too, the roads were submerged with water due to negligence of the council. Despite this fear of flooding, the Valpoi municipal council has failed to complete its pre-monsoon work.
Meanwhile, some residents complained that the work of cleaning storm drains has not been even started in some places. Desilting work is also not done.
“The storm water drains have not been cleaned. Also, trees have not been trimmed and bushes not cut,” a Valpoi resident said.
The lack of sufficient manpower and the slow pace of work in the past couple of years has renderedthe VMC unable tocope with pre-monsoon work and the pressure that comes along with it.
Since the last 15 days, a pit has been dug on the footpath opposite community health centre and this is posing a risk to the school going children and the patients visiting the hospital. It is learnt that the pit wasdug as part of the pre-monsoon works. This work is going on at a snail ‘s pace.
When contacted, Vice-Chairperson of Valpoi municipal council, Faizal Shaikh, told O Heraldo that most of the works are done. “Last month we have cleaned the main storm drains in the town and the remaining work will be completed soon,” Shaikh said.
