CM directs officials to clear up Cutbona jetty of scrap vessels, encroachments and dumped items

While serving deadlines on the concerned departments, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has promised to return back at the Cutbona jetty before September 25 to inaugurate the 222-metre extended portion of the jetty, which has been lying unused since work on the new jetty was completed around half a decade ago. This has only thrown up a question or two at the jetty as to why Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar and Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro could not tow away the scrap vessels or the dump from the 222-metres extended jetty portion when boat owners have been knocking the Fisheries Directorate doors over the last three years.

In fact, the CM issued directions to the Fisheries officials to remove everything from the extended jetty portion within eight days. “What is the use of the jetty if it is not put to use. Let us inaugurate the jetty. I will come back before September 25 to inaugurate the extended jetty”, he said.

The CM told the Collector, Asvin Chandru and deputy Collector Ganesh Barve to coordinate with Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira to clear the encroachments on the jetty road. “If the families have been given alternate place at the fisheries complex, there is no reason why illegal structures are located on the jetty road”, he said, while directing officials of Fisheries, Health and deputy Collector to finalise the minutes and send a copy to him.

He said the Fisheries and Health department will issue SOPs to the boat owners how to go about maintaining hygiene aboard the vessels for the benefit of the workers. 

While exuding confidence that the problems plaguing the Cutbona jetty should be resolved within 15 days, he said the Collector and deputy Collector will monitor and implement all the directions by keeping Minister Aleixo Sequeira in the loop.