PANAJI
River Navigation Minister Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar sought to assure the House that no final decision has been taken but said that in order to obtain funds from the Centre under the project, some control will have to be relinquished. “We have decided that we will take the funds but retain control. It s similar to National Highways. Just because they are nationalised it doesn t mean we have no control over them. It will be similar with the waterways,” Dhavalikar said. “But when the NHAI is involved in building a project then we have no role,” Dhavalikar said. Opposition as well as ruling legislators sought a clear cut assurance from the Minister over the fate of the rivers. “We will lose our rights over the rivers. We have to be clear cut. All should be spelt out in the agreement. We want to be part of this. Appoint a House Committee. Terms of getting the agreement should be known to the people of Goa Vijai Sardesai said. Pandurang Madkaikar questioned whether there was a draft proposal in place that the legislator could have a look at. Others cited the example of MPT which lays claim over large parts of the waters of Goa right up to Betul cautioning that such a situation should not be repeated in Goa. Dhavalikar assured that he along with the Chief Minister and the Captain of Ports would examine the matter and take a decision on the issue. The central government under the Sagarmala scheme has promised to develop the Mandovi and Zuari rivers including dredging to maintain a draft of 2.5 metres and jetties for inland navigation. The dredging of the Rivers of Mandovi and Zuari and building of terminals along two rivers as part of developing them as national waterways is scheduled to begin in October after the monsoons. Terminals are scheduled to come up at Betim, Britona, Aldona, Corjuem, Pomburpa, Durbhat, Old Goa, Panjim, Ribandar, Chorao on the Mandovi River and will be part of ferry routes between Aldona and Panjim; Cortalim, Durbhat and Panjim and Baina to Dona Paula and Panjim. Dhavalikar also said that unutilised ramps which are at the locations of discontinued ferry routes could be leased out to local Goans enter houseboat tourism mainly at places like Macazana, Colvale, Kiranpani, etc. Dhavalikar also announced the commencement of a catamaran service between Mormugao and Panjim which would charge Rs 100 per person and would likely commence from October.
