Drains in Ward 7 of Baina-Vasco that were opened in November 2014 continue to be exposed.
The exposed drains have caused problems to locals in the area and what is most unusual is that no one has a clue as to why the drains were opened.
Locals were initially pleased when the drains were opened in November, as they assumed that the drains would either be cleaned or repaired.
Their hopes faded when they realized that the drains were left untouched and no one visited the site to clean, repair or even to close the drains. The open drains have now been clogged with waste, adding to the misery of the residents.
Worse, the open drains now pose a health hazard, while concrete slabs make it difficult for pedestrians to walk by the roadside.
“The open drains have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes which have spread everywhere. When I tried to enquire which agency was responsible for removing the slabs, the municipal council and PWD denied having removed the slabs and added they were not aware who had done it,” said Blanche D’Souza, a resident.
Another woman said she couldn’t take her scooter inside her residence compound as the route had been disturbed due to the removal of the slabs.
Another resident Anthony D’Souza said, “For the last two months, we are facing this difficulty and no one is aware who has been carrying out this work. Due to the breeding of mosquitoes, there is a constant fear of epidemics like malaria and dengue.”
“The agency involved in opening the drains has the duty to complete the work at the earliest to avoid the hardship faced by residents of the area,” he added.
Another local, R Naidu, felt that the problem could easily be solved. “The concrete slabs have merely been left by the side and they can easily be placed over the drains. These slabs can later be removed if and when maintenance work is required to be done,” Naidu said.
When contacted, officials from the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) and the local PWD office denied having opened the drains. Neither were they aware if any other agency had undertaken the work.
“This is not the work of the municipal council and I am not aware who opened the drains,” said MMC Chief Officer J Bhingui.
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