Team Herald
MARGAO: Desilting of stormwater drains in Seraulim village by the Water Resources Department (WRD) began on Tuesday, with farmers urging the government to take steps to prevent the flooding of their fields during the monsoon. The farmers’ concerns stem from the inundation of their fields over the past two years, attributed to the construction of the Western Bypass.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, accompanied by Seraulim panchayat members, commented on the desilting initiative and said focus is on clearing major water channels, including the Sarnabandh to Folga nallah up to the Western Bypass, and the Pandimoda to Palmirabai nallah. Viegas emphasised the need to improve water flow and protect water resources to mitigate flooding and ensure sustainability.
He added that such desilting of nullahs as well as smaller water bodies is being carried out early this year to ensure that by April-May, water channels leading to the River Sal are clear. This measure aims to prevent water from flowing backward, which has previously caused low-lying fields to flood due to blockages created by the bypass construction.
Viegas criticised the State government for the poorly-designed Western Bypass which he said failed to take into account villagers’ concerns about flooding that had already occurred when the bypass was being constructed. He also highlighted the recommendations of central expert R.K. Pandey, who was commissioned by Union Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari to study Benaulim’s flood-prone zones. Pandey’s report had urgently recommended comprehensive drainage measures, including the desilting and dredging of the River Sal to improve its discharge capacity. He also called for additional culverts on the Varca road to address the inadequacy of the existing drainage system.
However, sources reveal that no significant action has been taken, leaving residents concerned about recurring floods.