PANAJI
To a question posed by Goa’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, the minister in his reply also said that political parties did not object to the nationalisation of the rivers.
“The consent of Government of Goa was obtained before the declaration of six National Waterways in Goa. The objective of declaration of these rivers as National Waterways is to make them navigable for movement of cargo and passengers.”
“Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has held consultations with the Government of Goa (GoG) and Mormugao Port Trust (MoPT) on issues such as dredging, river training works, bank protection, terminal construction with equipment, navigational aids etc. were discussed
for development of six NWs
in Goa. An MoU has been signed between IWAI and MoPT based on the consultation for development of six NWs in Goa in a phased manner,” the reply states.
The issue of nationalisation of Goa’s rivers had caused a huge uproar in the Goa Assembly with the opposition led by the Congress and independent legislator Vijai Sardesai accusing the state government of selling Goa’s assets to the corporate world to the detriment of the State. The government had then assured that it was only in order that the state government could receive funding for the dredging and the setting up of jetties along the coast for the purpose of navigation. They were even compared to the concept of national highways.
The State government reassured that the status of the rivers would be according to the terms and conditions as set down in the Memorandum of Understanding.
A total of six rivers in Goa were earmarked for nationalisation -- Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Mapusa, Sal and the Cumbarjua canal. Rivers in Goa are already in use for transportating ore from the hinterland to the port.
