VASCO
For over 30 years, local fishermen and fishing boat operators have been demanding more space and better facilities at the Kharewaddo Fishing Jetty, but despite assurances from multiple leaders and even central ministers, the jetty has been forgotten and ignored.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had even laid a foundation stone for a world-class fishing jetty, while more recently, Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala had also made assurances to the fishermen during his recent visit to Kharewaddo.
All Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (AGFBOA) president & former minister Jose Philip D'Souza said he has made multiple attempts to highlight the plight of the Kharewaddo jetty.
At present, boat operators struggle to unload a fresh catch of fish or have to repair boats which strike each other while negotiating the small dilapidated jetty at Kharewaddo.
Fed up and frustrated, many small boat owners have stopped the unviable business, claiming that money spent on repairs is far more than what is earned through fishing, especially with subsidies pending for years. Many others have migrated abroad.
"We are still operating from this dilapidated jetty which was built around 50 years ago. We have such beautiful fishing jetties across Goa at Malim or Betul, but Kharewaddo jetty has been forgotten, ignored and given step-motherly treatment,” said D’Souza.
“We have over 250 boats, and this jetty can accommodate only a few boats at a time, and this is one reason why so many boats have to wait in line at sea to unload their catch.”
“We don't have any basic facilities at this jetty and the base at the jetty has gone so weak that we fear some vehicle loading/unloading the fish here will fall into the sea. Most boats jostle for space when they come alongside to offload fish and in the bargain, crash against each other causing damages.”
MPA ASSURANCES
One common excuse used by every politician across different parties is the involvement of the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) in the project.
Various chairpersons of the MPA have promised fishermen and boat owners of an upgraded jetty and have even assured a modern fishing jetty for stakeholders with all amenities at the Vasco Bay in the near future, but nothing has happened so far.
D’Souza claimed the Kharewaddo Jetty has suffered on account of indifference from the MPA.
“We cannot repair the jetty because we need MPA permissions, and we fear that this jetty will collapse, leaving us high and dry. We have repeatedly sought an extension of the jetty, but nothing seems to happen even though the MPA keeps assuring us of their plans to have a state-of-the-art modern fishing harbour,” said D’Souza.
D’Souza said they had met the new MPA Chairman Dr N Vinodkumar and explained to him the hardships faced by the boat owners due to the dilapidated jetty and how the temporary jetty was too small to accommodate 250 odd boats.
“We even appraised him on the ultra-modern state-of-the-art fishing harbour promised to us by the MPA and requested him to give us an extension to the existing jetty. Dr Vinodkumar told us he had taken up the issue with the State government and even met the chief secretary to expedite the process with regard to any clearances.”
“Every state and central leader arriving here says works of expansion need clearances from the MPA and GCZMA and I wonder why is there a delay because the central and state governments are both run by the BJP.”
“Today, the hope is all that that our demand pending for 30 years will be met soon
because the Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala has recently assured us that we will get a brand new fishing jetty,” D’Souza added.
