PONDA: A meeting was held by Dharbandora Deputy Collector, Akshay Potekar on Monday to decide on steps required for preventing drowning deaths at Dudhsagar River during the monsoon season.
The meeting was attended by Convenor of GOACAN, Roland Martins, besides officials of local fire and police personnel, WRD officials, RTO, PWD, BDO, panchayats and various other government departments. There are 13 bandharas on Dudhsagar River which have stored water. It was suggested to blow the siren to alert people downstream of the river when bandharas are opened to release water.
Speaking after the meeting, Potekar said, a large number of visitors flock to Dharbandora for bathing in the Dudhsagar River.
“A team of officials has been formed, which will inspect sensitive spots along the river and sign boards will be installed to prevent people from bathing at dangerous spots. The rusted railing on bridges, culverts will be inspected and if need arise would be repaired to prevent fall of vehicles into the river, leading to drowning deaths,” the Deputy Collector said.
He said police have been asked to patrol the riversides on Saturday and Sunday. Roland Martins emphasised on the need to create awareness as an increasing number of tourists are coming to Goa.
He said there is a need to educate school and college students about the dangerous spots around the river as they tend to frequent the river.
“Dharbandora is a famous tourist destination due to the world famous Dudhsagar waterfall. Though there is safety at the waterfall, many tourists visit the hinterland and bathe in the river at unknown spots and are also unaware of the dangers. Therefore, signboards should be installed to warn them before nearing the dangerous spots along the river,” Martins said.
“Similarly all departments need to take efforts to find out dangerous spots, open water tanks to prevent drowning deaths of visitors, including school/college students who come there for excursions,” he said.
