The jetty was erected metres away from the mouth of the River Sal ahead of the India Energy Week. Fishermen operating in the riverine villages of Velim, Cavelossim Ambelim, besides boat owners operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty had earlier expressed their reservations over the construction of the ONGC jetty close to the mouth of the River Sal.
Officials confirmed that the temporary jetty, built ahead of the India Energy Week, has come crashing down in the choppy waters of the Arabian Sea on Tuesday morning.
A team of officials comprising of Deputy Collector, Quepem besides the Mamlatdar are expected to visit the site.
Even as the debris of the jetty is floating in waters, boat owners operating from Cutbona fishing jetty have demanded that the government authorities immediately intervene and direct ONGC to remove the jetty portion from the waters.
“Since the jetty was erected close to the mouth of the River Sal, we apprehended that the debris may be washed near the river mouth by the strong currents. Since our fishing season is scheduled to begin from August 1, we demand that the government direct the ONGC to lift away the debris at the earliest,” demanded Chairman of Cutbona Fisheries Society Savio D’Silva.
