During a session of the legislative assembly, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar raised critical concerns regarding the management of landslide-prone areas in his constituency. Amonkar pointed out that despite repeated inquiries with the Public Works Department (PWD) and Water Resources Department (WRD), engineers from these departments have stated that they do not receive Disaster Management funds from the Revenue Department. Instead, they propose works using departmental funds allocated for constituency development, leading to significant delays.
Amonkar emphasized that every year, the state receives Disaster Management funds from the Centre under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF). He questioned why these funds were not being utilized for constructing retaining or protection walls in landslide-affected areas.
“Speaker Sir, let me bring to your kind notice that this year the situation is worse due to incessant rains. The people in these areas live in fear, anticipating further landslides. Recently, there was a landslide at Lower Jetty near the spring, eroding half of the road and damaging the water pipeline,” Amonkar stated. He urged the government to take the matter seriously, citing the danger and risk to life and property.
Addressing LAQ No. 4B on the status of landslide-prone areas in Mormugao, Amonkar noted that six locations in the constituency, including Rumdawada, Jetty, Bogda, Bharat Line, Desterro, Sada, and Harbour, have been identified as landslide-prone. These areas experience landslides annually, with some being minor and others major.
Amonkar queried the Revenue Minister on the measures in place to prevent major disasters and the risk mitigation plans for residents in these areas. He highlighted that despite site inspections by officials from the Revenue Department, no retaining walls or strengthening works have been carried out in the last two years. Amonkar pressed for an explanation for the prolonged delays in executing these essential works.
The MLA’s concerns bring to light the urgent need for effective disaster management and prompt utilization of allocated funds to safeguard vulnerable areas in Mormugao.
