Panaji: The captain of ports department is evaluating a proposal to undertake dredging and desilting work at the mouth of Cumbharjua canal at Dhauji and Cortalim. The proposal, which is still at a nascent stage, would require funding from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), said captain of ports Octavio Rodrigues.The request to deepen the navigational channel through the Cumbharjua canal has come from barge operators, who find that cargo-laden vessels are hindered during low tide.“The entrance of Cumbharjua canal is where the barges are getting grounded. Nothing has moved so far. We are trying to do it through IWAI,” said Rodrigues. “Last year, govt had outlined a Rs 310 crore capital dredging plan for the Mandovi river, Zuari river, and Cumbharjua canal.Currently, the Cumbharjua canal has a depth of 2.6m during high tide but during low tide, the depth plummets.Navigation through the Cumbharjua canal under the Banastarim bridge remains prohibited without prior permission from the CoP.“Maybe in this year we will try to move the proposal for the dredging and get the Environment Impact Assessment to be done. We have sent a letter to IWAI. They have to allocate the funding but for that we have to have a meeting,” said Rodrigues.A hydrographic survey will have to be done along the 17km navigational channel to determine the requirement for dredging in the Cumbharjua canal. The canal, which links the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, plays a crucial logistical role in the transportation of iron ore from the inland mining belt of Goa to the Mormugao port.Dredging of the Bicholim river near Bagwada, Piligao, is slated to commence once the CoP completes the tendering formalities.The Bicholim river at Pilgao is severely silted and obstructed, leaving riverside villages vulnerable to flooding every monsoon season.
