Angry comunidade officials have begun taking action, in a desperate bid to free the waterways from the encroachments.
In one such instance, a major encroachment has been noticed on the nullah connecting Khobra Vaddo to Porba-Agar Vaddo along the road leading to Our Lady of Piety Chapel, Khobra Vaddo, Calangute.
A builder has constructed a compound wall in the existing nullah, while another has dumped truckloads of mud near the site.
Unaware of encroachments, Calangute Comunidade office bearers were surprised to note that the nullahs belonging to the comunidade were on the verge of extinction.
Calangute Comunidade president Agostinho Proenca and vice president Jerry Fernandes carried out a site inspection and confirmed the encroachments.
“We noticed many encroachments, some even by locals, without seeking permission from the Calangute Comunidade. We will serve notices on the encroachers,” said Proenca in the presence of Fernandes.
“We carried out a site inspection and observed many illegal encroachments by locals and builders. We have asked one of the builders to remove the dumped mud in the nullah and the builder has assured to remove in a week’s time.”
“We will also take up the matter of other illegal encroachments with authorities concerned. Hopefully, the nullahs will remain free from any encroachments in the interest of residents and Calangute village,” Proenca added.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has also assured to take up the matter with the Bardez deputy collector of Bardez, regarding the illegal filling up of water bodies.
“I will write to the Bardez deputy collector and will bring to his notice about the illegal filling of low-lying areas,” said Lobo.
“This water body is a major rainwater reservoir to cater to areas like Umtta, Khobra, Porba and Agar Vaddo in Calangute. Encroachment or illegal filling of these nullahs could pose a threat to locals and villagers during monsoon. We need to maintain such nullahs in our villages to address water-logging issues. I have also taken up the issue with the builders concerned. Hopefully, the issue would be resolved amicably,” he added.
