TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Goa Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) Convenor Roland Martins has urged the State government departments to contribute towards prevention of drowning deaths.
Martins said, “Ponda should lead Goa by adopting measures to prevent drowning deaths as most of it take place in Ponda taluka. In less than two months, five drowning cases were reported in Ponda.”
In response to GOACAN’s appeal, Ponda Police installed warning signboard at Okambi, Dharbandora where picnickers get drowned.
On Tuesday, a meeting was called by Ponda Deputy Collector Pradeep Naik at the request of GOACAN to discuss prevention of drowning in open tanks, well and rivers in Ponda taluka.
Ponda Deputy Superintendent of Police C L Patil, Police Inspector Vijaykumar Chodankar and the PWD, Zonal Agricultural Office, Water Resources Department, Fire, Mamlatdar and BDO officials were present.
Recent drowning deaths of two children in an open pit at Querim-Priol, three deaths at Dudhsagar River, death in sewerage pit at Kapileshwarim and issue of open pits dug at Kavlem by farmers were discussed.
Discussions on providing railing to irrigation tanks in kulagars, wells and rivers were also discussed on account of recent drowning deaths.
GOACAN Convenor Martins suggested conducting survey to find out number of open tanks and wells that exist without cover and with cover and railing or fencing around the tanks.
Martins asked each department to cooperate in finding out solution to prevent drowning cases with help of their department schemes. To find out how many mining pits are there in Ponda, every quarry owner has the responsibility of covering the pits when they are abandoned.
He asked for compilation of drowning cases. In less than two months, five drowning cases occurred in Ponda. Also to upload schemes in Konkani and Marathi and also to display boards at the river banks in Konkani and Marathi besides English.
Martins pointed out that Rs 16.5 lakh compensation is directed by the National Green Tribunal to pay to the family of four deceased, who were drowned in open pits at Tuem. While releasing water in bandhara, there should be alerting system.
He also suggested directing the Agriculture, BDO, WRD officials to upload various schemes related to construction, repairs of tanks, wells and also about providing safety railings.
