MARGAO
In an interesting development, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, who also holds the Captain of Ports portfolio, suggested to the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal to accord the Centre’s nod for the Detail Project Report (DPR) concerning the construction of the nine jetties across Goa.
The suggestion was made to the Minister and officials of the Union Ministry of Ports and Waterways at the 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) held at a starred resort at Benaulim.
The Minister told the media that the proposal concerning for the construction and upgradation of the nine jetties have mooted before he became a Minister. “The proposal could not be taken forward since the funds were required for the construction. The DPR has been lying in Delhi. I have now suggested to clear the DPR so that the proposal is taken to the logical conclusion,” he said.
When it was pointed out to him that the Rassaim jetty is amongst the nine jetties proposed for construction or upgradation by the government, Sequeira, who represents Nuvem constituency, said the proposal concerning the Rassaim jetty is only to upgrade the jetty with passenger amenities.
Incidentally, the Rassaim jetty, which comes under the Loutolim village Panchayat, has been in the eye of a storm with local residents and the villagers of Loutolim strongly opposing any move to upgrade the jetty, claiming the construction or upgradation is proposed for the transportation of coal.
