MARGAO: With the monsoon season fast approaching, the South Goa district administration has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and other relevant authorities to implement precautionary measures to mitigate flooding risks associated with the ongoing construction of the Western Bypass.
Hotspot areas prone to flooding due to these construction activities are to receive necessary arrangements for protection.
Farmers and locals from Benaulim have long expressed concerns about potential flooding, demanding Western Bypass should be constructed on stilts to prevent such issues. Despite these concerns, their requests have been largely ignored.
Now, however, the district administration has acknowledged the possibility of flooding in areas where the bypass construction involved filling land with mud.
At the meeting held recently, the District Administration also directed the concerned authorities to stop the digging of roads by May 31 and cover the manholes or barricade them.
Srinet Kothwale, Additional Collector-I, informed that concerned authorities have been directed to monitor and keep vigil through the monsoon season with regard to landslide and flood-prone areas.
Further directed to keep vigil at the Railway subway at Comba-Margao. Electricity department has been asked to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply throughout the monsoon season.
“Local bodies have to ensure that there is no accumulation of waste, measures should be undertaken to ensure that no leachates flows from waste dumping sites in municipal and panchayat areas. Waste at the dumping site should be covered suitably,” informed the Additional Collector.
Specific attention will be given to the railway subway at Comba-Margao to monitor for flooding. The Electricity Department has been tasked with ensuring a continuous power supply during the monsoon.
