The River Sal opens near Cavelossim. It passes through Margao, Navelim, Dramapur, Chinchinim, Assolna and drains itself into the Arabian Sea at Betul. River Sal is divided into 4 tributaries of which one stretch flowing towards Talaulim village, another at Dramapur, then towards Durga Maidan towards Margao, and the final one flowing towards at Panzorconi.
The River today is struggling for its existence owing to severe pollution. Sewage discharge by urban population, cattle washing, solid waste dumping are major issues the River is facing, which are caused due to habitation across the river bank.
Salinity points: At upstream of river, at Talaulim village, near Hawai garden, Sinquetim, Navelim salinity measured is 2.29 ppt and as it moves further towards downstream, 4.77 ppt is measured. At second stretch, the upstream of the river at Zakani Bandh, Sirlim salinity measured is 0.06 ppt. Further towards downstream of the river at BellaVista –Sirlim (Dramapur) salinity measured is 8.73 ppt.
At third stretch at Durga-Madaan near Cross salinity measured is 5.96 ppt. At fourth stretch upstream of the river at Panzorconi near chapel the salinity measured is 1.18 ppt and further at the downstream of the river at inside NH17 Near Sand Excavation loading point on mud road it is 5.16 ppt.
GSPCB concludes
For all the rivers the measurement of salinity is done till 5 ppt is attained. The stretches of the rivers are also monitored. The salinity shows a distinct decrease from the estuarine towards the upstream of the estuary, with a significant decrease in salinity at stations in the upstream towards eastern region