MAPUSA
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar issued a scathing rebuke to boat owners and members of the various boat owners’ associations for failing to uphold their commitments to maintaining jetties across the State.
Halarnkar's comments come amid growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of these vital maritime infrastructures, which are primarily entrusted to boat owners for upkeep after being constructed or renovated by the government.
The Fisheries Minister emphasised that the government consistently invests in creating and upgrading infrastructure for boat owners.
These facilities, once handed over, are expected to be maintained by the stakeholders, but Halarnkar pointed out that this responsibility is being neglected, leading to significant deterioration.
“The government constructs the necessary infrastructure for the benefit of the boat owners and stakeholders, and in return, they are expected to maintain it,” Halarnkar stated.
“However, instead of taking responsibility, we see repeated instances of neglect, forcing the government to intervene for repairs,” he added.
SANITATION PROBLEMS
Halarnkar expressed frustration over the misuse and neglect of basic facilities near the jetties, such as public toilets constructed for the convenience of the boat crew.
He pointed out that despite the government constructing toilets a short distance away from the jetties, many boat crews refuse to use them, opting instead to create unsanitary conditions near the jetties and riverbanks.
“Obviously, we cannot build a toilet in the water or on the jetty itself. But just because the toilets are located a mere 25 metres away from the jetty, the boat crew refuses to use them, dirtying the entire area,” Halarnkar said angrily.
He warned that this irresponsible behaviour is creating severe public health risks, with diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea becoming a real threat.
Halarnkar cited the large Cutbona jetty, which houses around 4,000 fishing crew members, as a key example of this ongoing problem.
WASTE MANAGEMENT NEGLECT
Another critical issue raised by the Fisheries Minister was the failure of the fishing associations and societies to adequately manage waste around the jetties.
Halarnkar criticised the associations for their lack of initiative in ensuring cleanliness, adding that the waste generated in and around the jetties is not being lifted, leaving the areas in a perpetual state of disrepair.
“When the government hands over property and facilities to the boat owners and their associations, it becomes their responsibility to take care of the waste generated in the area,” Halarnkar explained.
He urged the associations to collaborate with local panchayats and municipalities for waste removal and management but emphasised that they should not expect these services to be provided free of charge.
DAMAGE BY HEAVY VEHICLES
In addition to sanitation and waste management issues, Halarnkar also criticised boat owners for allowing the entry of heavy vehicles onto jetties, further damaging the infrastructure.
He pointed out that jetties are not designed to handle heavy vehicles, with some boats allowing trucks weighing 20 tons or more to enter the jetties, which are designed for much smaller vehicles.
“They cannot expect the government to reconstruct the jetties every five years,” Halarnkar said, noting that repeated misuse of the jetties by overloading them with heavy vehicles is causing significant wear and tear.
As pressure mounts on boat owners to address these concerns, it remains to be seen how the associations will respond to the minister’s stern warning.
