PANAJI
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Sunday demanded that the government immediately cancel the Rs 310 crore capital dredging plan for the Mandovi river, Zuari river, and Cumbharjua canal. The party alleged that the project is aimed at promoting coal transportation under the excuse of infrastructure development.
The GFP’s executive committee, which met under the leadership of party chief Vijai Sardesai, passed a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of the proposal. The Inland Waterways Authority of India has already approved the project’s detailed report.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sardesai said the detailed project report (DPR) estimates that around 6.5 million cubic metres of material will be dredged to maintain a 67.5 metre-wide navigation channel with a depth of 4.0 metres. This would allow 3,000-tonne barges to move continuously.
“This is a part of larger Sagarmala policy and we strongly oppose it. Coal transportation is a sole hidden agenda. There are no plans for structural passenger transport. It only talks about multi-commodity transportation which means coal and iron ore,” Sardesai said.
“This is an anti-Goan DPR which needs to be withdrawn immediately,” he demanded.
As per the DPR, the capital dredging of the Cumbharjua canal and Zuari river will cost Rs 106 crore each, while the Mandovi river project is estimated at Rs 48.5 crore. “The other cost includes creation of various facilities like vehicle tracking system, loading and unloading facilities, etc,” Sardesai said.
Fatorda MLA Sardesai said the dredging project would seriously affect traditional fishing communities and others who rely on the river for their livelihood. “Also, our barge industry will be hit hard,” he said.
