Cortalim MLA Anton Vas and the Cortalim Panchayat have opposed moves by the River Navigation Department (RND) to tender the jetty near Cortalim Ferry Point for tourism activities.
Vas along with Cortalim Panchayat members on Monday morning met the Captain of Ports (COP) regarding the issue and even called for a joint inspection to understand the details of the project.
Vas, who claimed that neither the MLA nor the panchayat was taken into confidence, even shot a letter objecting to the move of the RND to tender a jetty without any information.
“I read the advertisement on paper and informed the Cortalim Sarpanch and she said that she had no idea about it. The entire village had opposed the move when the jetty was offered for tourism activity years ago. The people are still objecting to the offering of this jetty because this area cannot handle tourism activity, heavy traffic or other activities in the name of tourism,” said Vas.
“I also met the CoP with the panchayat and had discussion but they did not give us details and as MLA, I have now sought details of the activities that are to be conducted here. People have stoned the boats here in the past due to loud music and we don’t want confusion here because the RND has neither taken the MLA nor the panchayat in confidence,” said Vas.
Cortalim Sarpanch Senia Periera said she would convene a gram sabha and seek public views on the issue so that they do not blame the panchayat at a later date.
“We were shocked with the advertisement and the MLA Anton Vas immediately took us to the CoP where we had a discussion and even called the joint meeting. The locality is densely populated and people are traditional fishermen who will be adversely affected if the jetty is offered to private players.”
“The department has not shown us what activities will take place and we are totally against this move and oppose the plan. We will have gram sabha to discuss the issue. The panch members are totally against the project and we will also enquire how a part of the jetty is already given and why the panchayat was never taken into confidence when the jetty was planned to be given to private players,” said Pereira.
Cortalim Dy Sarpanch Divya Raikar said the panch members were not aware of the tender till Monday.
“It is absolutely wrong that such activities are planned without intimation to the local panchayat because there will be a sudden surge of tourists who will park on this narrow road.”
“Cortalim is already full of migrants and this issue should be tackled properly so that the panchayat is at least aware of the activities planned because we are answerable to the voters. The serenity of the village must not be spoilt in the name of tourism activities,” said Raikar.
