TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
SANGUEM: Repair work on the damaged portion of the Selaulim Irrigation canal at Bethmoddi-Quepem is in full swing, but there are slim chances that irrigation water will be restored to the affected irrigation farmers within the next four days.
According to reports, two machines were seen at the site to clear the debris. Incidentally, overnight the length of the breached portion increased substantially due to continuous flow of the accumulated water from the canal.
The contractors however managed to stop the flow of the accumulated water by putting mud-filled bags across the canal some 300 metres away from the damaged canal.
It is however remote to say that the repair work will be completed within four to five days as suggested by the Water Resources Department officials as the breach portion widened considerably to some 40 metres overnight.
Moreover, the contractors engaged with the repair work will have to restrict the use of tipper trucks in getting mud to fill the damaged canal as the service road restricts the movement of only one truck on either side of the canal.
The department had released water on November 30 and till date supplied about eight million of cubic metres of water. The canal which covers an area of 9,648 hectares spread all over Sanguem, Quepem, Curchorem and some parts of Salcete had been in operation for the last 28 years with water first being released in 1985.
The farmers in the vicinity of the damaged canal however continued with their agricultural activities with the hope of getting water in the next three to four days.
Farmers depending on the supply of agricultural water from Selaulim Irrigation canal have urged the government to expedite the repair work and make alternate arrangement for supply of water to the affected cultivators.
Sources informed that in January 2007, the canal was damaged near Pope John High School, Quepem, but was repaired immediately. In 2007, water from the breached canal entered into people’ houses but this time the breach took place distance away from the residential houses.
Farmers anticipate huge losses if the water supply is not restored immediately as majority of the paddy cultivators in Cacora, Curchorem, Quepem and Paroda depend on the income derived from paddy cultivation for their livelihood.
