PANAJI
The Goa Legislative Assembly has once again discussed the pressing issues of infrastructure and sanitation at the fishing jetties, with the government admitting the urgent need for upgrades of three jetties and pending approval for the upgradation of six jetties from the Central government, the works have remained incomplete.
In another development, Minister Nilkanth Halankar revealed that the Fisheries Department has received in-principle approval from the government to privatise the Cortalim jetty, handing it over to the Deep Sea Fishing & Marketing Co-operative Society Limited.
“The fishing jetties situated at Cortalim, Chapora and Khariwada Vasco require urgent repairs,” the minister said, highlighting the dire condition of the Chapora jetty. “The department is aware that the Chapora Jetty is in poor condition. It is in a pathetic state. The department has proposed to upgrade the Chapora Fish Landing Centre which will include construction of the jetty and other allied facilities like security room, toilet facilities etc,” he added.
Halarnkar added that the Detailed Project Report for the upgradation of the Cortalim, Chapora, Malim, Cutbona and Talpona jetties has been forwarded to the Government of India for approval to facilitate sanctioning of funds. Further, the department has requested the Water Resource Department to prepare an estimate for the repair of the Khariwada fishing jetty.
In the meantime, with the government's approval, the Water and Power Consultancy Service (WAPCOS) has been appointed as the Project Executing Agency (PEA) for implementing various projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as well as state-funded projects.
Regarding infrastructure, the minister reported that toilet facilities have been constructed at the major fish landing centres at Chapora, Malim, Cutbona, Cortalim and Talpona. “The department, along with the society, conducts cleanliness drives at each jetty to ensure they remain clean and hygienic. Fish traders and societies have been directed not to spill fish water and to cover trucks properly during transport to avoid inconvenience to the public. Letters have also been issued to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic, South, to take necessary action against vehicle owners who spill fish water on the roads,” the minister added.
The department requested that the Public Works Department (PWD) inspect the jetties. The Assembly was yet again informed that based on the 2018 PWD inspection report, the Cortalim jetty was closed for operation whereas repair work is underway at the Chapora jetty.
Financial assistance has been provided to construct cold storage and ice plants under various central schemes. As of date, nine beneficiaries have received support under the Blue Revolution scheme and PMMSY to set up cold storage facilities. Financial aid has also been extended for the purchase of 24 insulated vehicles and five refrigerated vehicles under PMMSY, as well as 18 insulated vehicles and six refrigerated vehicles under the Blue Revolution scheme.
