MARGAO
Even as the government has notified the Cutbona fishing jetty along with other jetties across the state as fish landing centres, boat owners operating from Cutbona are anxiously waiting for the government to repair the damaged jetty road on priority.
In fact, boat owners pointed out that not only the jetty road, but the entire road heading to the fishing jetty from the cemetery, is craving for attention with the stretch turning an accident-prone zone.
A visit to Cutbona has revealed the worsening condition of the jetty road, with the stretch dotted with craters and potholes. In fact, one could come across boat owners, operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty, complaining of the bad road condition and the failure of the Fisheries department to at least repair the road, leave alone laying a hot mix carpet on the busy road.
A boat owner remarked that while the Fisheries department even ordered closure of the jetty last month over the registration of the boat owners, fisheries officials have turned a blind eye to the potholed road. “The department wanted the fish traders to register with the department and pay the fees, Rs two lakh per fish trader. In the past, the fish traders have paid the fees, but the jetty did not receive any amenities in return,” the boat owner lamented.
Another boat owner raised the issue of the road heading to the jetty from the cemetery. “The road has turned bumpy all along the stretch as the road has settled down. This may result in road accidents unless the road is repaired,” the owner said.
He added: “We have been consistently raising the issue of the bad condition of the jetty road, especially the road stretch running parallel to the jetty, but in vain. Besides, there are several other issues plaguing the jetty, including poor illumination.”
A boat owner pointed out that the Fisheries department should also tow away the old vessels anchored along the new jetty stretch, spanning around 220 metres, along with the scrap and nets stacked on the jetty and put the stretch for berthing of vesels.
Given that the Cutbona fishing jetty is a major fishing hub in South Goa, dozens of outstation insulated and other trucks ply on the jetty road to load fish at the jetty. Besides, light commercial vehicles of the boat owners also ply on the road, transporting the fish catch from the jetty to the markets for sale.
