Mapusa municipality to pursue box culvert work

NT NETWORK

Mapusa

Following a joint inspection by Mapusa municipality and Captain of Ports officials, replacement of piped culvert structure with box culvert has been suggested as a solution to restore flow of water which is affected due to clogged pipes at Gaunswaddo.

The chief officer of Mapusa Municipal Council Clen Madeira along with officials from Captain of Ports, hydrographic surveyor R Gupta and Bharat Malgaonkar, draftsman inspected the piped culvert at Gaunswaddo.

Municipal engineer Venkatesh Sawant and Nadeem Sheikh were also present.  The CoP officials took stock of the piped culvert, which is a part of the highway across Mapusa river.

During the inspection, CoP officials raised concerns over hurdles in getting dredging machinery in the river for taking up desilting work.

After holding a discussion, it was suggested to follow up with PWD highways section to expedite the process of removing the piped bridge and replacing it with a box culvert for smooth flow of river.

The hydrographic surveyor R Gupta said that “we had informed the municipality that it is not possible for us to take up desilting work as it will be difficult for moving machinery in the river. The only solution to this problem is replacing the piped culvert with box culvert.”

The issue of dredging has been raised by the council over the last number of years without any desired outcome.

In absence of desilting of Mapusa river, silt accumulation has taken place due to which the flow of water has been affected.

 “Mapusa river is an important part of drainage system as all major nullahs drain out rainwater into the river. During monsoon, if the river water does not flow then nullahs are not able to drain out rainwater and, as a result, water level surges and market areas witness flooding,” informed chief officer Clen Madeira.

 “The work of replacing the piped culvert has been already proposed and highways section was supposed to take up the work,” added Madeira. He further said that “we will take up the matter with the PWD again to replace the piped culvert with a box type and also with WRD to clean the pipes which are blocked with silt.”

“The municipality has been pursuing with the concerned authorities for a long time for desilting of the river and replacement of the piped culvert. The matter will be taken up with the District Collector again requesting for a joint meeting of all stakeholders to resolve the issue,” he said.