the goan I network
PANAJI
Following up on the controversial nationalisation of Goa’s rivers, the State government is now pushing for the ambitious plan to develop around 146 kilometres into a ‘national waterways’ including building nine jetties along the Mandovi, Zuari and Mapusa rivers.
Agencies have completed ‘Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Studies’ (EIA) for nine locations along three major Goan rivers proposed to be developed as waterways and some fresh locations in the list are also being envisaged for anchoring boats.
According to the ‘River Rejuvenation Action Plan’ and other annexures finalised for the Mandovi river, nine jetties to cater to passenger and tourist traffic are planned along declared National Waterways (NW) in Mandovi, Mapusa and Zuari rivers.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board has completed the EIAs of the jetties at nine different locations along these three rivers.
The jetties are planned to be located at Ribandar, Old Goa, Pilgao, Banastarim along the Mandovi River and at Aldona along the Mapusa river.
Along the Zuari river, jetties are proposed at Rassaim, Durbhat, Shiroda and Sanvordem.
The jetties at Aldona, Ribandar, Old Goa and Sanvordem will be used for night anchoring of boats and the Aldona jetty will also be used for mooring Ro-Ro passenger boats.
The Ribandar jetty will be used for mooring Coastal Police boats and barge jetties will be developed at Pilgao and Shiroda for anchoring unloaded barges.
Anchoring of boats is also being proposed at Aldona, Pilgao and Banastarim.
Interestingly, the Central government’s ‘Sagarmala Programme’ aimed at enhancing the performance of the country’s logistics sector and increase the country’s port cargo traffic to 2.5 billion tonnes has listed Shiroda, Durbhat, Cortalim-Rassaim, Aldona and Savordem locations for preparation of detailed project report (DPR) to set up modern jetties.
The DPR preparation for new jetties at Ribandar, Old-Goa, Divar, Banastarim and Pilgao is also in progress, according to information
uploaded on the website www.sagarmala.gov.in.
There is also a proposal for a railway route improvement from Rail line Hospet - Hubli - Londa - Tinaighat - Vasco da Gama - 352.28 km including Vasco - Madgaon - Kulem -Castle Rock Section.
Also, DPR for a major fishing hub at Mormugao has already been prepared, the website reveals, adding that the DPR for a passenger jetty at Vasco bay is also ready. Other information of the ‘Sagarmala Programme’ available on the website also mentions a proposal for improvement of the Belgavi-Panaji 4A Highway to increase connectivity with the ports.
