Panaji: In order to address the recurring problem of waterlogging and flooding in Miramar, particularly around Stella Maris Church, the Corporation of the City of Panaji has decided to deploy a submersible pump to draw out stagnant water from the road directly into a drain network further away.In preparation for the monsoons, the corporation has also cleared the main drain running along DB Road, which had accumulated silt.“The only issue that we have is the Stella Maris Church area, where there is some minor flooding,” CCP mayor Rohit Monserrate said.The corporation has also made preparations to mobilize additional labour, activated emergency procedures, and formed late-night teams to be deployed to tackle waterlogging and other monsoon-related challenges.“The main drain beneath DB Road has been opened up and cleared up to the Starbucks outlet. Before, there was about an inch of free space between the silt and the chamber top,” Monserrate said, and added that the corporation was determined to ensure the area does not flood this monsoon.CCP has also purchased a water pump and handed it over to a local resident to pump the water directly to the next chamber.Monserrate also announced that the public works department has floated two tenders to revamp the drainage network from Divija circle to DB Road, and another from Miramar circle to Bal Bhavan.However, Monserrate acknowledged that the Patto area remains a challenge yet to be resolved. CCP has approached the Economic Development Corporation for land to set up a dedicated pumping station there, he said.The corporation has also altered the flow direction of some drains in the St Mary’s colony area to improve overall drainage capacity ahead of the monsoon.
