PANAJI
At a time when certain sections of society have mistakenly understood the concept of national waterways to be nationalisation of Goan rivers, the Logistics Committee of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) called a press conference to dispel these misconceptions.
Chandrakant K. Gawas, Chairman, Logistics Committee, GCCI, said, "The fact that six waterways in Goa will become national waterways does not mean that their ownership will be transferred to the central government. The power to use the water in these rivers or the soil under the water will remain with state government only."
Certain stretches of six rivers in Goa, including Mandovi River, Zuari River, Sal River, Mapusa River, Chapora River and Cumbarjua River, were declared as national waterways under the National Waterways Act 2016 by the Central Government.
Other members of Logistics Committee said that these waterways can be developed to bring economic benefits to the state. The fact is that the waterways in Goa are not developed. This is to such an extent that dredging in almost all Goan rivers has not happened in a proper manner. Therefore, movement of people and goods on water does not happen much in the state. It is in this context that stretches of six rivers were declared as national waterways.
Talking about how these waterways can be developed, Gawas said, "The fact that these stretches of Goan rivers are declared as national waterways means that development work like dredging will happen, which will help Goa's economy. For example, minor ports at places like Chapora, Tiracol and Betul can be developed. Fishing jetties can be upgraded with cold storage facilities. Major ferry points can be improved with passenger amenities."
The development of these rivers will be funded by the central government through Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). For all the development work under this project, a tripartite agreement will be signed between IWAI, Mormugao Port Trust (which will monitor the projects) and Captain of Ports (which is custodian of Goan rivers on the behalf of the state government).
At a time when certain sections of society have mistakenly understood the concept of national waterways to be nationalisation of Goan rivers, the Logistics Committee of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) called a press conference to dispel these misconceptions.
Chandrakant K. Gawas, Chairman, Logistics Committee, GCCI, said, "The fact that six waterways in Goa will become national waterways does not mean that their ownership will be transferred to the central government. The power to use the water in these rivers or the soil under the water will remain with state government only."
Certain stretches of six rivers in Goa, including Mandovi River, Zuari River, Sal River, Mapusa River, Chapora River and Cumbarjua River, were declared as national waterways under the National Waterways Act 2016 by the Central Government.
Other members of Logistics Committee said that these waterways can be developed to bring economic benefits to the state. The fact is that the waterways in Goa are not developed. This is to such an extent that dredging in almost all Goan rivers has not happened in a proper manner. Therefore, movement of people and goods on water does not happen much in the state. It is in this context that stretches of six rivers were declared as national waterways.
Talking about how these waterways can be developed, Gawas said, "The fact that these stretches of Goan rivers are declared as national waterways means that development work like dredging will happen, which will help Goa's economy. For example, minor ports at places like Chapora, Tiracol and Betul can be developed. Fishing jetties can be upgraded with cold storage facilities. Major ferry points can be improved with passenger amenities."
The development of these rivers will be funded by the central government through Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). For all the development work under this project, a tripartite agreement will be signed between IWAI, Mormugao Port Trust (which will monitor the projects) and Captain of Ports (which is custodian of Goan rivers on the behalf of the state government).
