TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CORTALIM: Brushing aside public objections, the PWD on Monday went ahead with the construction of a drain at Dando in Pale-Velsao with police protection.
Criticizing the PWD for its highhandedness, which was unprecedented, locals alleged that the drain was unnecessary since water was not accumulating and that they had filled the drain about 5 years back since it served no purpose.
Speaking to Herald, Joao D’Mello, Caitano Goes and others alleged that the drain will not serve any purpose, which was evident by the fact that despite heavy showers, water had not accumulated at the site.
They were however apprehensive that with the construction of the drain the water would accumulate as was evident at various places where water remained stagnant in the drains as a result of wrong gradient/slope, which would only be a breeding place for mosquitoes.
The locals, who are basically traditional fishermen (ramponkars), claimed that the drain would hinder their day-to-day business activity.
Local panch, Henry D’Mello however said the drain was necessary as water was accumulating.
Sarpanch Fatima Pereira said the work was undertaken by the PWD on its land and the panchayat had no role in it.
However the drain works, especially in the middle of the monsoon, seems to have come in violation with the directives of the Collector who has prohibited digging of the roads and its shoulders.
When contacted, AE A Ibrahim, refused to speak on the Collector’s order but maintained that the work was necessary due to water logging in the area.
