Sawant allays Opposition concerns over port expansion, depiction of port limits in CZMP 2019
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that coal handling in the State will not increase and that inland waterways jetties would not be used for transporting coal.
Responding to concerns raised by the Opposition over port expansion and the depiction of port limits in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019, the Chief Minister stated that coal handling won’t increase either “now or in the future”.
“Coal handling will not increase now or in the future. Inland waterways jetties will also not be used for coal transport...two jetties are currently handling coal,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned the government over the expansion of jetties and ports and asked when Goa’s rivers would be brought back under the State’s control. He warned that the depiction of extensive port limits along riverbanks in the CZMP had triggered apprehension among local communities about losing traditional access and rights over waterways.
Raising related concerns, MLA Altone D’Costa flagged the inclusion of Betul Port under the Centre’s Sagarmala Programme and its connectivity to the national highway network. He sought clarity on whether the port would be used for transporting bauxite or coal.
Sawant replied that the government had not handed over any rivers to the Centre and reiterated that coal transportation through inland waterways jetties would not be permitted.
He also informed the House that the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan 2019 is currently under inter-departmental review and has not yet been placed in the public domain for consultation.
Sawant explained that port limits had earlier been shown in the CZMP as per provisions under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019, which allows exemptions for areas falling within notified port limits. However, during consultations on the earlier plan, there had been public demands to remove these limits from the maps.
“The State government will take an appropriate decision after objections and suggestions are received during the public consultation process for CZMP 2019,” Sawant said.
MLAs Carlos Ferreira and Cruz Silva, during the discussion, also raised concerns that port limits shown in CZMP could impact local communities and fishermen in the State while also alleging that the government erred in nationalising six rivers, and demanded its withdrawal to protect the livelihood of riverside fishermen. MLA Nilesh Cabral said he will not allow coal in his constituency.
