MARGAO
Sanitation received another shot in the arm at the Cutbona fishing jetty on Wednesday, with Fisheries Minister Nikhilkant Harlankar laying the foundation stone for a 100 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the fisheries complex.
The STP has been funded under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and is estimated to cost around Rs 2.4 crore. The STP is estimated to take shape within three months. The Fisheries Minister also inaugurated the 50-seater toilet block at the Cutbona fishing jetty, which has been built by Sulabh International on behalf of the Fisheries Department.
Accompanied by Velim MLA Cruz Silva, Fisheries Secretary Prasanna Acharya, Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro, Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo, ZP member Julio Fernandes, officials of Sulabh International, and members of the fishing stakeholders, the Fisheries Minister made it clear that Sulabh will look after the upkeep and maintenance of the 50-seater toilet block and bathrooms set up at the Cutbona fishing jetty.
In response to a question, Harlankar said the government is committed to providing sanitation and hygiene at the fishing jetties. “The STP is being set up by a private agency under the CSR. Work on the plant will be ready within three months,” he said.
When questioned as to which agency will look after the maintenance of the toilet block, the Minister was categorical in saying that the upkeep and maintenance of the jetty will be the responsibility of Sulabh. To another question on waste management at the jetty, he said the Fisheries officials will coordinate with the local Velim village panchayat to handle the waste. The Minister pointed out that the maintenance of the fishing jetties in the state is being looked after by the fishing stakeholders, barring Cutbona jetty, after the High Court order.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva made a plea to the Fisheries Minister and the Director to build the long-pending training wall at the mouth of the river Sal at Betul. He said fishing boats cannot venture into the sea nor return to the jetty with their catch due to the hostile navigation issues plaguing the mouth of the river Sal.
