Panaji, Jul 5 (IANS): To curb flooding, the Goa government on Wednesday commissioned ‘Flood Water Pumping Station’ under Smart City Mission at Mala in Panaji, which is the second such project in the coastal state.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that this project will help to give relief to people from getting flooded.

Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, state WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar and others were present.

“People residing in this area (of Mala) now don’t have to worry about floods in this rainy season and in future too,” Sawant said.

About his constituency Sanquelim, where floods were witnessed every year, he said: “Since 2013, we are not facing flooding in Sanquelim as the water pumping station is effectively functioning . Earlier, flood water was entering shops in the market area. During high tide the issue was becoming worse.

“I have experienced how the flood water pumping station works and helps to curb flooding,” he said.

About features of the pumping system, which cost around Rs 15.90 crore, Sawant said the pumping station will pump water from Mala lake to the creek to maintain the water level and prevent flooding.

According to him, all rain water drains are connected to Mala Lake under the project. Also an automatic gate has been put to control entry of water during high tide.

Locals in this (Mala-Panaji) area were suffering during the rains due to flooding, with water entering their houses.

Sawant said that this is the second such project in Goa, installed to curb floods.