Threaten legal action if RND does not foot the bill
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CHORAO: Varon-Patramon Khazan Association members have taken the initiative to repair the damaged khazan bund at Chorao Island.
According to Association members, as the authorities concerned have failed to take up the repair works, they finally decided to repair the bund, which was damaged due to anchoring of ferry boats at Chorao Island.
Speaking to Herald, Varon-Patramon Khazan Association President Ganesh Govenkar said the bund was damaged due to anchoring of ferry boats, especially at night, as no alternative has been made by the department concerned to anchor the ferry boats.
“A huge part of the bund was damaged due to anchoring of ferry boats and the matter was brought to the notice of the department concerned. Several notices were sent and joint inspection was also conducted of the damaged site by top officers,” informed Govenkar.
“Local MLA and Deputy Speaker Anant Shet, sarpanch and Khazan committee members had visited the site and had assured that the repair work of the bund would be taken up immediately, but till date nothing has been done,” claimed Govenkar.
“Keeping in mind the interest of the farmers and cultivated paddy fields of 200 farmers and seriousness of the damaged bund, the Association took the initiative to repair the damaged bund by spending Rs 40,000,” said Govenkar and added that the details of expenditure will be sent to the River Navigation Department.
“If they fail to pay, we will resort to legal action,” warned Govenkar.
Former Association secretary Mukund Khandeparkar warned that if ferry crew continues to damage the bund, farmers will take law in their hands.
Attempts to contact, Vikram Singh Bhonsle, RND officer, in-charge of the Ribandar-Chorao ferry route, proved futile as he refused to accept the calls.
Deputy Speaker Anant Shet said the tendering process was in progress, but it was delayed due to the monsoon.
