MARGAO
With the fishing community up in arms over the issue of illumination at the ONGC facility hampering navigation at the mouth of the River Sal, Velim MLA Cruz Silva has called for the intervention of the South Goa Collector to convene a joint meeting to discuss navigational difficulties caused by ONGC illumination at the Cutbona-Betul river mouth.
In his letter, the Velim MLA drew the District Collector's attention to the difficulties being faced by the fishing community operating from Cutbona and Betul due to the illumination from the ONGC installation in the Betul area during the night.
He pointed out that the Cutbona Boat Owners Federation has represented that the excessive and misdirected lighting in and around the ONGC facility is adversely affecting visibility for fishermen while entering the river channel and proceeding to sea. “The glare created by such illumination is causing confusion, making it difficult for boat operators to identify the river channel and natural navigation markers, thereby posing a serious risk to life, property and fishing vessels,” he said.
Considering the gravity of the matter and the involvement of multiple departments and stakeholders, Silva has requested the Collector to convene a joint meeting with representatives of the Directorate of Fisheries, the Goa State Disaster Management Authority (GS-DMA), ONGC officials, the Captain of Ports, the Sarpanch and members of Village Panchayat Betul, the Sarpanch and members of Village Panchayat Assolna and Cavelossim, besides the MLAs of Benaulim and Velim.
“The objective of the meeting should be to assess the navigational hazard caused by the present illumination, examine corrective measures including regulation and redirection of lighting, and arrive at an immediate and long-term solution to ensure the safety of fishermen and the smooth movement of fishing vessels through the river mouth,” he said.
