Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira inspects the Cutbona fishing jetty on Wednesday. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
When Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira descended at the dengue and cholera-hit Cutbona fishing jetty on Wednesday evening with Additional Collectors, South Srinet Kothwale and Uday Prabhudesai, the team came across a heavy-duty crane lifting dinghies from the new jetty.
The team also came across portable toilets dotting the jetty. Some of the vessels docked at the jetty had also disappeared.
Expressing satisfaction over the turnaround taking place at the jetty, the Environment Minister said things were moving forward, adding that it’s a question of a few days before the issues plaguing the fishing jetty are resolved.
In fact, Sequeira did a reality check on the portable toilets, as he availed the facility, only to find a couple of toilets occupied by users. The Minister complimented the Cutbona Boat Owners Federation for their cooperation in achieving quick results at the jetty.
The Minister informed that of the 100-odd dinghies anchored at the new jetty, the boat owners had towed away most of them, with just 20 dinghies remaining at the jetty.
He further informed that the PWD will lay a dedicated line to supply water to the jetty for drinking purposes. He said the government may even give the Cutbona fishing jetty to the Boat Owners Federation for management and maintenance if a proposal is made in this respect.
While allowing the boat owners to park their dinghies at the Fisheries complex, Sequeira, however, made it clear that the fisheries department will not take responsibility for the dinghies.
50-seater toilet block
Even as the portable toilets along with bath cubicles have been installed at the jetty, the Environment Minister said the Fisheries Department has set in motion the process to tender a 50-seater toilet facility at the jetty. Though land is an issue at the jetty, Sequeira pointed out an ongoing survey would shed light on the exact balance land available with the Fisheries department. This facility was first proposed in 2013 but has yet to materialise.
Sequeira also acknowledged the non-functionality of the sewage treatment plant at the Sulabh toilet block, stating that efforts are underway to resolve this issue promptly.
The Environment Minister said he would find out with the Captain of Ports whether there’s any land at the Cutbona jetty owned by it. “We can discuss this land once it is identified by the CoP,” he said.
The Minister made this remark after the Boat Owners requested the Minister to allow the parking of vessels at the CoP land.
On the issue of the dry dock, Sequeira assured the boat owners that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister, given that acquisition may be required to set up such a facility.
Small boat owners seek relief
Some of the small boat owners made a request to the Environment Minister to allow them to dock their fishing vessels at the jetty till the arrival of their works. Boat owner Thomas Rodrigues said it may be true that scrap vessels are found anchored at the fishing jetty. He, however, hastened to add that boats owned by small boat owners are also anchored at the jetty for want of the labourers.
“Where will these small boat owners go with their vessels if they are told to remove the boats as per the seven-day notice?” Thomas questioned. He added: “Some of these boats are idle for the moment because of the late arrival of workers. They may not even start fishing activity this season but would be keen on going out for fishing next year. Where will these small owners anchor their vessels?”
Clear jetty of vessels in seven days, warns Fisheries Director
After dragging its feet for years, the Fisheries Department finally issued a public notice to the boat owners to remove the fishing vessels, dinghies and fishing nets from the Cutbona fishing jetty and the Fisheries complex.
A crane moves a dinghy at Cutbona jetty on Wednesday.
The newly-appointed Fisheries Director, Yashashwini Bi has given seven days to the boat owners to comply, failing which the department has threatened necessary action without any further notice.
The public notice instructed the boat owners to remove a total of 129 dinghies parked in front of the Fisheries complex, sub-office and at both the old and new jetties. Of the 82 dinghies, 14 dinghies have been found without names. Another four dinghies are without the names of owners. Around 47 dinghies were found without names at the new jetty, besides 37 dinghies with names.
As far as the vessels, the Fisheries Director has issued notices to the owners of 45 vessels, which have been found berthed at the new jetty. Besides, notices have been issued to the unknown owners for having stacked fishing nets, around 30 fishing nets at the Fisheries complex.
In the past too, the Fisheries Director had issued notices to the boat owners whose vessels have been lying idle or docked at the new jetty. The process, however, did not lead to decisive action, with owners claiming that the vessels were allowed to dock upon payment of a fine of Rs 5,000.
