Rs 30cr sought from Centre to curb Cortalim landslides

Panaji: Last July, following heavy rainfall, a landslide struck Cortalim, damaging three bikes with the riders escaping narrowly. The landslide along the road leading to the ferry point near the Cortalim junction circle had raised fears of a major disaster looming.
State govt has now sent the Union ministry of road transport and highways a proposal of Rs 30.8 crore for the stabilisation of the slope.
“The comprehensive proposal of long-term measures for soil stabilisation to prevent future landslides has already been submitted to the ministry and sanction is awaited,” an official said. “Landslide-prone areas of Cortalim junction and along Santrant slope have been considered for permanent measures. The proposal has been framed in consultation with the Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi, and a reputed soil stabilisation consultant.”
The work of short-term measures at Cortalim already began earlier this year after obtaining sanction from the ministry.
“During the last monsoon season, there was a landslide near Cortalim junction due to the unprecedented rainfall but no collapse of any wall was involved,” said the official. “The district magistrate (South) has given permission to utilise required private land for soil stabilisation by invoking Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.”
This work is estimated to cost Rs 1.2 crore, which consists of the restoration of the collapsed slope with benching. All efforts are being made to complete the work during the current work season, the official said.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant had said last year that there are 77 landslide-prone spots in Goa which are being studied.
Extreme rainfall events, slope instability, and geological factors were found to be the cause of the landslides. Analyses showed that the possible causes of rainfall-triggered landslides are greatest in Goa, Sawant had said. Eastern parts of the state with slope elevation are a hotspot in most of the landslide events and the state is studying these areas to put measures in place, he had said.