Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa
Mapusa, Jun 12: In a significant move to mitigate recurring monsoon flooding in Mapusa and nearby regions, the Goa government will launch a Rs 46.52 crore river improvement project focused on the Mapusa River.
Led by the Water Resources Department (WRD), the project covers a 4.5-km stretch of the river between Guirim and the NH bridge at Tar junction. The foundation stone will be laid on June 13, with M/s Bagkiya Construction Pvt Ltd executing the work, which is slated for completion within 300 days.
The project includes:
• Desilting and widening of the river to boost water-carrying capacity
• Construction of flood embankment bunds using earth and moorum on both banks
• Installation of sluice and flap gates every 200 metres to prevent tidal backflow
• Building a composite flood protection wall with concrete and laterite boulders
• A dedicated sluice gate to isolate floodwater from the Guirim catchment
• Deployment of a high-capacity pumping system capable of discharging 3,000 cubic metres per hour, backed by a 320 KVA DG set and supporting infrastructure
The initiative addresses long-standing concerns over flooding and water stagnation that have plagued the region, turning the river into a public health and environmental hazard.
“This demand has been raised for years, with ministers and MLAs making promises but taking no action. The project is long overdue,” said Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, underlining the community’s frustration over repeated inaction.
WRD officials said the project aims to restore the river’s ecological health while ensuring effective flood control for residents living along its banks.