Panaji: The Captain of Ports has issued a work order for a rapid Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed desilting of a 2.8km stretch of the Bicholim river. Officials expect the EIA study to be completed by the end of April after which authorities hope to begin work to deepen the river to 1.5 metres.An inspection report found the river near Baagwada, Piligao heavily silted and obstructed, leaving riverside villages vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon. Mayem MLA Premendra Shet had urged the govt to desilt the river before the rains. “The EIA study will be completed by the end of April,” ports minister Digambar Kamat said.Shet first flagged the issue in Oct 2024, informing the Water Resources Department that the Valvanti river faced tidal risk during the monsoon and needed urgent desilting. After a site inspection confirmed the dredging area falls within a saline zone near Sarmanus and Piligao, the WRD forwarded the proposal to the Captain of Ports department.The inspection also noted garbage and other debris dumped into the river, along with soil erosion, worsening pollution and reducing the river’s flow.Last monsoon Karapur, Vathadev, Vavti, Piligao, Kudchire and Bicholim town were inundated, prompting rescue operations.
