VASCO: Major drains in Baina, shipyard and other places are taken up for cleaning and desilting to avoid waterlogging in the port town. The work is in progress and is likely to complete within a week or two.
“It is the duty of the councillors to carry out minor pre-monsoon works in their wards before monsoon,” said Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida.
Commenting on the waterlogging issue in Vasco last year, Almeida said,” In the last few years the port town has not witnessed major waterlogging issues.”
“It is the duty of the municipal councillors to undertake the pre-monsoon works in their wards thoroughly. I have also spoken to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer in this regard. Major works such as desilting and cleaning of nullahs etc, with the help of Department of Water Resources are carried out by me. But the cleaning of small drains needs to be carried out by the councillors.”
When asked as to what precautionary measures have been taken to avoid waterlogging in the port town, Almeida said he has already initiated the works of desilting and cleaning of major drains in Baina, shipyard etc, and the remaining work will be complete in a week’s time.
“If there is a need to hold a review meeting with the concerned officers and councillors on waterlogging then I may have one,” Almeida informed.
MMC Chairperson Nandadeep Raut said the pre-monsoon works in all wards are in progress and on the verge of completion, which may take a few days.
“I don’t think that there could be an issue of waterlogging and flooding in Vasco this year. We have purchased some machinery under Fourteen Finance Commission grants. Some proposals in this regard will be put up at the upcoming council meeting,” Raut added.
It may be recalled that last year, Almeida along with municipal councillors, deputy collector, and mamlatdar held a special review meeting to identify the areas which are prone to flooding and waterlogging.
During that time the MLA had stated that for the past few years there was no major flooding issue in Vasco. He had informed that a review meeting was held with the WRD officials and municipal councillors, so the shortfalls would be solved within a week.
At that time Almeida had urged the councillors to focus on low-lying areas such as Maimolem, Orulem, Baina etc, and thorough cleaning of drains to prevent waterlogging during monsoon.
