Greenvale drainage under investigation

Works and 
Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan.
Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan.

WORKS and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan says drainage issues at the HDC’s Greenvale Park in La Horquetta require thorough investigation before any solution can be implemented.

He was responding to a question in the Senate on Tuesday from Independent Senator Dr Varma Deyalsingh, who asked if consideration was being given to installing automatic sluice gates and pumps in Greenvale Park; El Socorro South; and Real Springs in Valsayn South.

Greenvale was one of the worst hit areas during last October’s flooding.

Sinanan said issues there are complex and require a thorough investigation before the Drainage Division can recommend solutions. He added both internal and external drainage problems may be the issue. “Currently a full investigation is being carried out by various sections of the Drainage Division and on completion the best solution for effective flood mitigation would be recommended for consideration.”

Sinanan said the internal drainage concerns are an ongoing matter with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and are being addressed by the HDC’s consultant, whose recommendations will also feed into the comprehensive solution for Greenvale Park as well as sub-catchment areas.

On El Socorro South, he said both gates and pumps have been earmarked for replacement under the Programme of Upgrade to Existing Drainage Pumps and Gates Inventory. He explained this two-year programme was approved by Cabinet in 2018 and, in the absence of unforeseen delays, is expected to be completed by 2020. A definite date for the replacement/installation of the gates and pumps is not available at this time, but on Real Springs, he said there is a flap gate system as opposed to a pump and gate system on the Valsayn main drain, which takes run-off from the Valsayn South area. He added that the drain is a tributary of the Guayabal River.

Independent Senator Paul Richards asked if the areas were in any imminent danger of flooding. Sinanan said it was the start of the dry season and no such volume of rainfall was expected. “However, I can give the assurance that the work has started,” he said.

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