Team Herald
VASCO: Sancoale locals have demanded that the choked drains in the village be cleared immediately. The drains were clogged during digging to place the PWD pipeline. The Panchayat has written to deputy collector, Mamlatdar and BDO. It has also demanded local MLA to intervene and clear the drains before monsoon to avoid flood like situation in village.
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Sancoale Sarpanch Girish Pillai told reporters that some panch members had given complaint to the panchayat after locals asked them to clear the mud filled drains fearing that it will lead to water clogging during rainy season.
Pillai further said that initially the panchayat had received a complaint that the contractor be stopped the work of laying the pipeline. However, later on the promise of setting the things right they were allowed to continue. But they failed in their promise leaving the drains choked with mud.
“Given the fear of the drains being choked during the first rain, we send letters to the concerned departments to take immediate action on this issue and clear the choked drains,” he said.
The Panchayat has taken up this issue with the government authorities who should now look into the matter, the sarpanch added.
Ward 5 panch, Ramakant Borkar, stated that presently the drains from Sancoale area are filled with mud due to the placement of PWD pipeline work recently. “If rain starts then the rainwater will have no way to pass freely and the water will enter the houses and a school located close by. Therefore I demand that the drains be cleared, restored and repaired as soon as possible to avoid any water clogging and inconvenience to the locals,” said Borkar.
Borkar also demanded that local MLA Alina Saldanha intervene and solve the problem. Borkar also mentioned that this drainage affects wards 4, 5 and 6.
Dr Sunita Borkar, ward 4 panch, said that “all the water from the hills near a convent school will come down during the rainy season and will enter into the school due to the choked and overfilled drains with mud.”
Sancoale villager Santan De souza stated that the pipeline was installed by ignoring the opposition by the locals.
“This pipeline has gone to Cortalim via Shindolim, Sancoale whereas PWD could have easily taken this pipeline the other way round,” said De Sousa.
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De souza also mentioned that one personal assistant (PA) of one politician came and emphasised the PWD pipeline should be laid. De souza also said that due to the haphazard placement of this pipeline, the rainwater, water of the nullah etc will have problems to flow and this will lead to water clogging.
During monsoon season, the drains which have been filled with the mud, stones etc will be totally choked and the rainwater will have no way out to flow and this will surely create water clogging problems in Shindolim and other areas of depression” Desouza added.
When asked what is the demand, Santan added that, we demand that drains to be reopened, desilted, cleared and restored to the previous forms for better access to flow the rainwater during Monsoon. Before undertaking such works , the government authorities should have a layout plan about the efficient execution of works without hindering the general public.
