The stretch of River Sal at Mungul which has been desilted by Water Resources Department.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
River Sal, considered to be the lifeline of Salcete, is set to get a fresh lease of life as the Water Resources Department has launched an ambitious programme to de-silt the water course in a bid to restore the river to its pristine glory.
Identified as one of the most polluted rivers in the country, coming under category III, River Sal rejuvenation project has been taken up at a cost of Rs 16 crore, on a 7-km stretch between Fatorda and Varca.
Launched by Water Resources Department Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, local MLAs Digambar Kamat, Luizinho Faleiro, VIjai Sardesai and Wilfred D’Sa joined virtually on Sunday morning.
Filipe told ‘The Goan’, “River Sal has turned out to be one of the most polluted rivers. Our effort is to get rid of the silt as well as the weeds taking roots in the river”, he said.
The minister said though the work on the project had commenced sometime back, the project could not be officially launched in view of the Covid situation.
Executive Engineer Ankush Gaonkar said the scope of work mainly comprises of de-silting, clearing of the silt and disposing the same within a radius of three meters.
Goankar told ‘The Goan’ that the agreement mandates the contractor to undertake maintenance of the river for a period of three years, which includes de-weeding and removing of blockages for a period of three years.
Explaining the salient features of the project, Gaonkar said the project mainly comprises of de-silting of the River Sal and its tributaries, from the South Goa District Hospital, Fatorda to Varca village in order to maintain the river from, improve water quality and to maintain smooth flow of water.
River Sal originates from Verna plateau and flows through the urban areas of Verna, Nuvem, Margao, Navellm and Benaullm before emptying into the Arabian Sea at Betul near Mobor Beach.
The urban areas discharge large quantity of sewerage waste in the river, besides dumping solid waste, which has resulted in the formation of silt in the river. The weeds have grown resulting in blockage, and the stagnant water has only increased the BOD level beyond thepermissible limit.
River Sal has been identified as the most polluted river in the country and falls under category III.
In fact, the National Green Tribunal had issued directions to take up the de-silting work on urgent basis.
MARGAO: Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has made a strong case for de-silting of River Sal passing through Nuvem constituency.
Pointing out that River Sal originates at Verna in Nuvem constituency before flowing through Nuvem and other villages, the Nuvem MLA said, de-silting of the River Sal along the Verna-Nuvem stretch is important since the farming activity in these villages depend on the river for irrigation.
WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues explained to Nuvem MLA that the WRD has already tendered work on the Verna-Nuvem course of River Sal and that the department would take up the work at the earliest.
The Nuvem MLA told ‘The Goan’ that farmers in the villages of Verna and Nuvem depend on the water of River Sal for irrigation of their fields. “The bandharas erected along the river course from Verna to Nuvem help the local farmers cultivate the fields. But, the river along this course is heavily silted”, he said, while making a strong case with the government to take up the de-silting work.
