Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Sep 7: After nearly three decades of neglect, long-awaited desilting work on a three-kilometre rivulet in Bastora has finally begun, bringing a wave of relief and hope to the local farming community.

Carried out by the Water Resources Department (WRD), the project also includes the cleaning of the Nagadi Poi (Nagadi pond) in St Cruz ward — a key move aimed at rejuvenating stagnant water bodies and easing chronic monsoon flooding in the region.

For years, thick vegetation and accumulated silt had turned the once-thriving agricultural area into a flood-prone zone. Persistent waterlogging made the fertile fields unusable, forcing farmers to abandon cultivation entirely.

Now, with heavy machinery like amphibious excavators deployed to clear blockages, the water is finally flowing again. The desilting operation, which runs from the main PWD road to Nagadi Poi, marks the first major restoration effort in decades.

“This has been a long-pending demand of the local farmers. With the rivulet now being cleaned, we are hopeful that agriculture will once again return to these fields,” a resident told The Goan, voicing cautious optimism.

The effort has been spearheaded by the Bastora panchayat, with Sarpanch Rakhi Naoroji playing a pivotal role in lobbying for the project. Naoroji noted that the initiative will not only help farmers but also act as a natural flood control system by allowing rainwater to drain properly.

Villagers have welcomed the move, seeing it as a vital first step toward reviving Bastora’s agrarian economy and restoring the area’s natural ecosystem.