Member Savio Correia’s expose confirms that Goa isn’t aware of MPT’s expansion plans
Vasco’s worst fears may in reality be true as IATG SavioCorreia’s RTI request and subsequent investigations by The Goan prove that theState government was either not aware of or did not bother to investigate thestring of expansion projects that were underway within the Mormugao Port Trustjurisdiction.
It also brings back into focus the stark divide between theCentral government agency projects within their jurisdiction and outside. Inthis case, the Central agency did not seek State government sanction, as theproject was within their operational area.
Savio’s RTI reveals that Goa’s Chief Secretary, Captain ofPorts, Collector (South Goa), DGP (Goa), local Mormugao Muncipal Council orMormugao Planning and Development Authority had no information of the ongoingprojects.
Mormugao Port Trust has in the pipeline, nine projects inVasco’s municipal jurisdiction namely development of iron ore berth at west ofbreakwater, coal berth at berth no 7, Berth for cruise and non-cargo vesselalongside the breakwater, construction of berth no 4 for port crafts and smallvessel, extension to berth no 8, construction of additional mooring dolphinsfor bulk cargo vessels, augmentation of rail network inside MPT and theconstruction of a fishing jetty at Katem Baina. What has now been proved isthat besides the construction of a fishing jetty no other projects havepermission from the State government offices or local self-government bodies.
According to Captain of Ports, Goa’s nodal agency on marineaffairs, there was no correspondence from MPT in connection with constructionand operation of any mentioned projects.
“MPT has not taken any approval for any of its projects,”said Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA), Vasco’s nodal agencyon real estate and commercial development in the area.
Despite six wards sharing space with MPT, the localself-government body Mormugao Municipal Council is also not aware of any suchdevelopment.
Even the office of executive engineer PWD and the statepolice points out that they have no information about any of the MPT projects.
However, MPT Officials maintain that they need not seekpermission from the State government as per its own direction. In in a letterdated January 30, 1987, A. V. Pimenta, Under Secretary (PW & UD) hadwritten to MPT saying, “In case of construction for port operations within itsoperational area, the MPT need not obtain any prior permission before executionof any works both from VPDA (now MPDA) and MMC”.
The letter was consequent to a meeting between State, MPT,MMC and MPDA Officials.
With the pitch against MPT’s expansion plans withoutfactoring in the people’s wishes growing, Savio’s expose throws up disturbingquestions.
