Minister for Ports, Digambar Kamat on Tuesday said that fishermen from Betul have demanded around 2-3 floating jetties in Betul to meet their fishing requirements. While no final decision has been taken on the request made by the Betul fishermen, Kamat said at least one floating jetty will be set up at Betul for the benefit of the local fishermen.
Kamat’s announcement comes a day after he firmly ruled out the possibility of the floating jetties being constructed for the purpose of coal transportation.
Kamat’s announcement further assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of opposition to the proposal of floating jetties at Betul last year.
“The Central government has sanctioned a couple of floating jetties for Goa. We have to erect these jetties wherever required,” he said.
He added: “Fishermen from Betul have made a demand for 2-3 floating jetties. These jetties will be built without a concrete structure. Right now, fishermen from Betul had met me and requested to set up a floating jetty at Betul. Once set up, it will help the traditional fishermen in their fishing activity. We will finalise the jetties where it is required.”
To a question, Kamat said the Captain of Ports would consider setting up a floating jetty at Betul since the local fishermen had come to see him with a request.
Boat owner and Chairman of Cutbona Fisheries Society Savio D’Silva has suspected foul play behind the Minister’s announcement. He said the floating jetties proposal was rejected by the traditional fishermen last year on the grounds that the proposed river cruise tourism on River Sal with floating jetties at Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul lighthouse circuit by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), would affect their fishing activities and livelihood. “So far, we have no idea who has approached the Minister requesting for floating jetties at Betul. Last year, not just the fishermen, but the village panchayats of Cavelossim located on the western side of River Sal and neighbouring villages had objected to floating jetties at Betul,” he said.
Last year, when the proposal for floating jetties was doing the rounds in government circles, Velim MLA Cruz Silva had moved the Calling Attention motion seeking government stand on the proposed jetties. Silva had moved the Calling Attention motion on the ground that the floating jetties will affect the fragile marine ecosystem of River Sal thereby damaging the livelihood of the fishermen and disturbing the serene nature of the sites.
