the goan I network
MARGAO
Fishing boat owners have urged the government and the GSIDC to resume work on the breakwater project at the mouth of River Sal and ensure smooth navigation channel for the fishing vessels.
A group of boat owners comprising of Roy Barretto, Patrick Silva and Antush told the media on Monday noon that since the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has accorded the green signal for the construction of the retaining wall at the river Sal, the government should go ahead with the project.
“At least three fishing boats have run aground at the river Sal mouth after hitting the sand bar, leaving the owners in a huge loss. The absence of the breakwater facility at the river Sal mouth has come in the way of round the clock navigation from the Cutbona and Betul fishing jetties to the Arabian Sea. This has affected the fishing community adversely,” Roy said.
He said fishing vessels are left at the mercy of the weather conditions as they cannot venture out in the sea nor return back to the fishing jetties at Cutbona and Betul during low tide because of the sand bar.
He pointed out that though the river Sal mouth was twice dredged in the past, it has failed to resolve the issue. “Construction of the retaining wall along the river mouth was mooted as part of the break water project to ensure round the year navigation from the river to the sea,”
he added.
Saying that the GSIDC had initiated the break water project two years ago, Roy lamented that the project was later stalled following a complaint lodged by an NGO over the construction of a temporary road. “Now, since the NGT has disposed of the case, the GSIDC should resume work on the project at least till after the monsoons and give relief to the fishermen community,” he added.
Former president of the boat owners, Patrick Silva said that at least 7-8 fishing vessels were destroyed at the river Sal mouth because of the hostile navigation problems. “Our only request to the government and the GSIDC is to resume work since the NGT has disposed of the case,”
he added.
Purse seine boat owners had last month taken up the issue of the breakwater project with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who had promised to pursue the same after the election. Patrick said a delegation of the boat owners will again call on the Chief Minister to execute the break water project at the river Sal Mouth.
