MARGAO
Hopes of reviving the long-pending training wall project at the mouth of the River Sal have been rekindled after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured a delegation that the government would sanction funds for the project.
A delegation comprising Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, Velim MLA Cruz Silva and representatives of the fishing community and boat owners met Sawant on Thursday and urged him to revive and complete the project at the earliest.
The delegation highlighted the navigational difficulties faced by fishing vessels, particularly traditional boats, while entering and exiting the River Sal. The formation of a sandbar and rough sea conditions have repeatedly hampered the safe movement of vessels operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty.
During the meeting, Sawant reportedly questioned why the project had remained stalled despite the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) having initiated work on the training wall more than a decade ago.
Sawant assured the delegation that instructions would be issued to move the file for sanction of the required funds. He also assured that steps would be taken to obtain the necessary Environmental Clearance (EC) for the project.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz said Sawant appeared positive about reviving the project and expressed hope that the file would now move forward.
“The Chief Minister has sounded positive about sanctioning the training wall project at the mouth of the River Sal. I am hopeful that the file will move again as per his instructions. Hopefully, the project will see the light of day and save fishermen from the hardships they face at the river mouth,” Vaz said.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva said Sawant had assured the delegation that funds would be sanctioned, but stressed that the Fisheries Department must obtain the requisite EC before commencing work.
Silva added that Sawant had also assured the delegation of a temporary solution to the recurring sandbar problem. The Chief Minister, he said, had agreed to explore dredging as an immediate measure to improve navigation until the permanent training wall project is taken up.
Fishermen operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty have been demanding a training wall at the River Sal mouth for nearly 45 years.
