CCP councillors slug it out on capital flooding

NT NETWORK

 

PANAJI

The floods caused by the incessant rain that lashed the state rocked a meeting of the Corporation of City of Panaji on Friday. The CCP came under fire from the councillors who said that nothing has been done to clear the clogged drains.

Former mayor Surendra Furtado  kicked off the meeting with an opening salvo on the widespread flooding in the city after the torrential rain that began in the wee hours of Friday.

He said the entire city was flooded, and the GSIDC must be blamed for it.

Furtado recalled  that five years back a proposal had been  sent to the PWD to clear the drains  passing through Miramar Circle, Solmar Hotel and other areas.

But  Sanjit Rodrigues, who was with  the GSIDC then, wrote a letter to the PWD asking it to withdraw the tender. The reason cited was that the work would  be done under Imagine Panaji project, Furtado said adding that  but till date nothing has been done, and now people are suffering.

Furtado also said the absence of proper drainage system led to the inundations at several locations of the city: from   Miramar Circle to Solmar Hotel, Miramar Residency, Remo’s House, Sand Dunes building and   other areas.

The incessant rain also caused inundations  at Tonca,  Dempo Bhat, Bal Bhavan, St Mary Colony and near Kala Academy.

Councillor Soraya Makhija said that when the entire Campal   was inundated desperate phone calls were made to the CCP, but not a single phone call was attended.

Taking part in the discussions, councillor Menino de Cruz questioned  as why there had been lengthy discussions on the annual flooding  at it is witnessed  at every place  including Mala.

On this remark, he was slammed by Rahul Lotlikar and other councillors saying  that the India meteorological department had given the rain forecast much in advance,  and that arrangements could have been made to avert the flooding.

CCP commissioner Ajit Roy defended his workers saying the team had been tirelessly working since the morning.

Calling for the renovation  of 60-70 years  old drains,  Roy  said the state capital needs better infrastructure.