03 Aug 2019  |   05:43am IST

Opposition MLAs call for replenishing polluted rivers

Opposition MLAs call for replenishing polluted rivers

PORVORIM: The opposition benches  raised their voices demanding for the protecting Goan rivers from pollution and replenishing those, which have been declared as polluted. 

Leading the demands made to the WRD Minister, Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane said, “We must protect our rivers. They are an attraction for tourists to come to Goa. Our rivers need to be saved for posterity and be protected from being polluted and nuisance. We must not allow doing nuisance.” NCP MLA Churchill Alemao seeking immediate attention to River Sal, said, “It is very necessary and urgent that the River Sal is replenished, cleaned and constructed to preserve it. There are 20 lakes and 25 ponds in my constituency. One of the largest lakes in my constituency is near Khareband where  thousands of Ganesh idols are immersed  during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The WRD should construct a ramp to facilitate the emersion of Ganesh idols.”

St Andre MLA Francis Silveira demanded desilting of nullahs and lakes in his constituency to preserve the water resources. Placing similar demands Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said, “Flooding during the ongoing monsoons across the State has happened due to two reasons; one because no desilting of nullahs was carried out and second, because the retaining walls had collapsed. There are many proposals to WRD but they have not been fulfilled.”

Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said that water reservoirs should be a concern for all. “Water reservoirs should be a concern and in the future there could be problems. Water harvesting projects need to be taken up. Even the Mhadei water sharing should be looked into as the orders are not being adhered to as they should be”, he stated.

Placing a demand to preserve lakes in Santa Cruz constituency, MLA Tony Fernandes said, “Bondvol Lake is a property of the comunidade and the Department has to give this lake to the people. The WRD should also look into preserving the Chimbel lake.”

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar