The cost of the work is Rs 8.15 lakh which has been awarded to Francisco D’Costa (contractor). 

Speaking on the occasion, Saldanha said that she took up the project of the sluice gate on priority when the committee members of Cortalim Comunidade Tenant Association approached her. The Executive Engineer Prabhu Akki and Assistant Engineer Verlekar, A of Soil Conservation Division were also present on the occasion.

“This sluice gate is of great importance as it prevents the salt water from entering the fields. There are around 220 farmers cultivating the fields and benefit when the sluice gate functions properly.”

The Environment Minister said that the work of the sluice gate would have started long back as nobody bid for the tender in the first and second call, it was delayed and finally in the 3rd call a contractor came forward. “I personally pursued the file with the Agriculture department and also the Finance department and impressed upon them the urgency of the work of the sluice gate," said Saldanha 

Anthony Miranda, Secretary of the Association praised the MLA for taking up the sluice gate work through the Soil Conservation Division of Agricultural Department. He aldo thanked her for repairing the culvert through the PWD which was in very bad condition.

Fr  Diogo Fernandes, Parish Priest of St Phillip & St James Church Cortalim blessed the commencement of the work and thanked the MLA for taking up this much needed work. 

Paulo D'Souza, Treasurer of the Association thanked the MLA and said that the entire credit of this work goes to the MLA and said that nobody was bothered about the culvert.