20 May 2023  |   06:43am IST

Flood of uncertainty: Now Panjim Mayor says he has no control

Asks CM and PWD minister to overhaul Portuguese-era drainage because he has no control over flooding during high tide; incidentally, that drainage was the best

Team Herald

PANJIM: Even before the monsoons, people, in Panjim are continuing to float in the flood of uncertainly, After CM Pramod Swant assured there would be no flooding, and PWD minister Nilesh Cabral said he cannot assure that there will be no flooding, Panjim’s Mayor Rohit Monserrate has added to the chorus saying he has no control over flooding in the monsoons

He said on Friday to journalists after the meeting of the CCP that he doesn’t have any control over the flooding that is caused in Panjim due to high tides in river Mandovi during monsoon.

“In terms of flooding issues, we have desilted all our drains, and opened up the old Portuguese era-drains. We have done whatever we could. The cross drains which were not cleared earlier also have been cleaned. During high tide even I cannot do anything, it is impossible,” Monserrate said, while interacting with media persons after an ordinary meeting of the CCP.

Monserrate informed that he has spoken to PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and others concerned for assistance including technical support to revamp the overall drainage network of the State’s capital city.  

“Existing drains are from the Portuguese time, few drains have been built recently. Until we look at the drainage network as a whole, nothing is going to change. We will ask all the departments to help us, get an overall map of Panjim and solve the problem once and for all. We are working towards it,” the Mayor said.