By Sanjay Borkar
Daijiworld Media Network—Panaji (CN)

Panaji, June 10: Chief minister Digambar Kamat visited Candolim Beach area to supervise the work being undertaken to combat sea erosion in the area on Tuesday June 9.

Speaking to the locals, he said that the government had taken up this work on a priority basis and would ensure that the first phase of the work will be completed within 15 days.

Speaking further, Kamat added that three more teams will be pressed into service to complete the work on time. He said the beach will be brought back to its natural stage soon.

The chief minister was accompanied by Philipe Nerry Rodrigues, water resources minister, and Agnelo Fernandes, Calangute MLA.
As it is specialized work, it is being executed by the Water Resource Department for monitoring and implementation and studying the effects.

The work has been divided into two phases and is being implemented under the technical guidance of the Central Power and Water Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, and Central Water Commission, Government of India.

The estimated cost of the work is Rs 5.94 crore. The main components of work are beach formation, shore protection and beach nourishment.

As part of the beach formation process ‘Geo Tubes’ have been laid underwater for breaking the underwater currents, dissipate the wave energy, and to facilitate the regeneration of the lost beach.

Geo Tubes along the shore for protection of the property along the shoreline will be erected and this structure will ultimately be part of the permanent structure to be taken up.

S T Nadkarni, chief engineer, and other government officials of the Water Resource Department and residents of Candolim village, were present in large numbers on the occasion.