Team Herald
MAPUSA: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday held a joint meeting to discuss the issues of Mapusa River including desilting and dredging and directions were also given on how to expedite measures to find a permanent solution.
The Chief Minister directed the Water Resources Department and the Captain of Ports to prepare a holistic plan for the entire Mapusa River by October.
The Chief Minister has also directed the Water Resources Department to undertake desilting at the Ganesh immersion site at Tar-Bastora and work is likely to begin from Monday.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Shubhangi Vaingankar and officials of Caption of Ports, PWD Executive Engineer and Water Resource Department Executive Engineer attended the meeting.
It may be recalled that in July 2021, joint inspection of Mapusa River was held in presence of Aldona and Mapusa MLAs along with the MMC and various other concerned departments to understand the issues pertaining to the river including pollution, free flow of water, removal of mud, debris and others.
Active citizens of Mapsua and members of Mapusa Youth Praveen Asolkar, Gauresh Keni, Kishore Rao, Salman Khan were also present, who have been highlighting this issue of pollution of Mapusa River.
After conducting the inspection, it was decided to work out a long term solution by taking on board all the concerned stakeholders as well as discussing the same with the Chief Minister.
The issue was taken up on serious note after several dead fish were found floating in the river due to pollution.
