Lack of plan to restore River Sal's health cause for concern

AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PLUG RAW SEWAGE INFLOWS FROM COMMERCIAL CAPITAL INTO RIVER

- GUILHERME ALMEIDA

Citizens travelling towards the Salcete coastal belt via Khareband may have noticed unusual activity along the River Sal near the Khareband bridge.

While the bridge itself has received a fresh coat of whitewash, the river stretch below has undergone a visible transformation.

The area, once choked with water hyacinth, has been cleared of the invasive weed. In its place, a 60-100 metre stretch of the river now hosts clusters of plants that appear to have been planted on floating platforms. Additionally, railings have been installed along the riverbank on the Margao side, and workers are currently engaged in fitting illumination lamps as part of an ongoing beautification drive.

Inquiries by The Goan have revealed that the project is not being executed by the Water Resources Department (WRD), but by the Public Works Department (PWD), reportedly at the instance of PWD Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat. The stated objective is to arrest further degradation of the river stretch and provide a facelift to the area.