Team Herald
PANJIM: The Commissioner of Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Agnelo Fernandes and Panjim Mayor Rohit Monserrate said they are monitoring the damage caused by the heavy rain over the last few days.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Fernandes said that these problems cannot be solved overnight or during the tenure of one mayor or the other, but that it will take a lot of time.
He revealed that they have already consulted with the Smart City and other concerned department concerned and are waiting for the estimates for a long term plan to resolve overall drainage system. Fernandes added that this will require extensive digging and thus is likely to start after the monsoon period.
Reluctant to use the term ‘floods’, Fernandes called the present issues as ‘water logging’ and said it occurs due to the position and shape of the Portuguese-era colonial drains, which he said is at the same height as the water level. He reasoned that when there is high tide, water immediately accumulates over the roads but during low tide, water drains out soon and the affected areas don’t remain waterlogged for days, as is the case in other metropolitan cities in the country. Fernandes added that the population of Panjim has increased and development of the capital city too and said due to related works such as asphalting and laying of pavements, there has been displacement of water. He also compared the present scenario with the past. Panjim Mayor added that they have a temporary plan in place, which can hopefully take care of the situation now but reiterated that there is a comprehensive plan being worked out with the Smart City and other concerned departments. Monserrate added that they have been deputing staff as and where required and they have been regularly checking out the problems that arise. He pointed out that they had carried out pre-monsoon works as well.
