Talpona riverbank wall spurs opposition

Canacona: Locals of Ardhafond — an area impacted by the 2009 flash floods — were relieved when the water resources department (WRD) began the construction of a retaining wall by the riverbank. However, the work has faced opposition from some quarters. Locals now fear that the project will not be completed before the monsoon.

Canacona deputy collector along with a police inspector conducted a site inspection on Wednesday. The project was sanctioned to protect houses and a chapel from future floods.

The project is opposed by those who say it will destroy mangroves in the area. Others are upset that objections are being raised despite the assurance given by the authorities that the mangroves will not be harmed.

WRD assistant engineer Dhananjay Nagvekar said, “The claim of a few that the mangroves have been damaged is not at all true as we are working in sweet waters and not saline waters.” He added, “This project will benefit several houses and the chapel which face the vagaries of nature every year.”

Nagvekar said the deputy collector has submitted his report to the collector.

Belinda Barreto, a member of the chapel committee, said, “It was a solace when govt approved the plan, but now some are worried.”

A few people, Barreto said, recently requested Canacona MLA and assembly speaker Ramesh Tawadkar to have a portion at the mouth of the river desilted to ease the flow of water.