CANACONA: Water Resources Department (WRD) along with officials of revenue department, environmental specialists and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) representatives held consultations with farmers having their farmlands along the bank of Galgibaga River.
The meet attended by around 100 stakeholders was held at Poinguinim VP hall on Tuesday morning.
Sunil Paigankar explained the purpose of the consultations and deliberations for suggested improvements to the dilapidated existing bundhs on the Poinguinim and Loliem sides of the Galgibaga River, which is causing saline water ingress in the adjoining areas.
WRD AE Mohan Kamble said the project, which will cost over Rs 40 crore, will be funded by World Bank and is part of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation project.
The improvement of the bundhs will be undertaken at about 3.5 kms on either side of the Galgibaga River from Poinguinim bazaar till Katebagh if stakeholders agree to the proposal.
Kamble sought cooperation from the stakeholders and assured them that the work would be undertaken as per the suggestions and satisfaction of the locals.
Most farmers asked the authorities for compensation of the coconut trees that would be lost due to the construction of the 2.5-metre wide bundh with some even suggesting that the bundh could be constructed in the inner side of the existing bundhs to save the coconut and other trees.
Victor Barretto, a Katebagh local suggested that the authorities to retain the small jetties and steps to facilitate the movement of canoes and fishermen.
The officials jotted down the suggestions and assured that the same will be considered while implementing the project.
John Fernandes Joel Fernandes, Mauvin Caldeira, Gauravi Sawant, Mithila Bhatt, Shubham, Santosh Gad, Shalita D’Souza, Jagdish Gaonkar and Ramdas Pujari were present.
