MAPUSA
Stating that it is always good to talk to people and take them into confidence, Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Friday said the State government will not set up a floating jetty against the wishes of the locals and was ready to shift it to some other site.
“We are not forcing the floating jetty on anyone. I will speak to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the MLA concerned, sarpanch and all stakeholders in the area. If they don’t want the jetty, then we will remove it. We can take it to some other place,” Lobo said.
The Ports Minister informed that the government was planning to use inland waterways as a mode of transport to decongest the roads and setting up of floating jetties was part of the plan.
He said the jetty will cater to the need of small boats with capacity of 60 passengers, which can be used by locals as means of transport and a joy ride for tourists.
“These are all floating jetties. Nothing is permanent. This has to be told to the people and resolved. It is always good to talk to locals and take them into confidence. We made a mistake, we will rectify it,” he said, aware of the opposition to the floating jetty in Siolim.
He agreed to shift the jetty to another place but sought cooperation of the people to fulfill the government’s plan in the larger interest of the State.
