MARGAO
With the issue of sanitation being resolved by installing portable toilets at the Cutbona fishing jetty, the Fisheries and Health officials have now zeroed in on the quality of potable water supplied to the fishing jetty, by conducting testing of borewell water.
A meeting of the senior officials with the boat owners at the Cutbona fishing jetty also discussed plans to handle the solid waste generated at the jetty and the disposal of the waste by the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC).
Fisheries Secretary E Vallavan and newly-appointed Fisheries Director, Yashaswini B descended at the Cutbona fishing jetty for the first time since the outbreak of cholera on August 25. The duo had meetings with boat owners under the banner of the Cutbona Boat Owners Federation, Deputy Collector, Margao Ganesh Barve, besides officials of various line departments at the jetty.
After the meeting, the Fisheries Secretary informed that it was decided to test the quality of water supplied to the jetty from a borewell and take corrective measures. It was also suggested to collect samples of water from the water tankers supplying water to the jetty every fortnight at the public health laboratory.
Vallavan said the boat owners have been asked to clean and empty the water tanks aboard the fishing vessels and to fill up fresh water. As far as the solid waste management at the jetty is concerned, Vallavan said the federation of boat owners has agreed to handle the solid waste at the jetty and to maintain cleanliness.
He said the Fisheries Department will soon come out with SOPs to address various issues, including health, hygiene and sanitation, which will apply to all the fishing jetties and fish landing centres across the State.
