MARGAO
The decades-old demand for the construction of a training wall at the mouth of River Sal to ensure safe and smooth navigation for fishing vessels once again took centre stage on Friday, with elected representatives and fishing stakeholders expressing strong dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in implementing the long-pending project.
The issue surfaced at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the South Goa district administration and chaired by Deputy Collector Velton Tellis. Although the meeting had primarily been called to discuss concerns over illumination from the ONGC complex allegedly affecting navigation, discussions quickly shifted to the long-pending training wall project after participants sought an update on its status.
However, officials representing the Fisheries Department failed to provide any concrete information, stating that they were unaware of the current status of the proposal. They assured that they would obtain details from the department’s head office and present them at the next meeting.
The response drew sharp criticism from legislators and representatives of the fishing community, who questioned the government’s commitment to addressing a demand that has remained unresolved for over four decades.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas accused the Fisheries Department of failing to pursue the project with seriousness and blamed the Fisheries Minister for the continued delay. “We have an incompetent Fisheries Minister who has failed to knock on the doors of the Centre and secure the required funding. Fishermen have been demanding the training wall for the last 45 years. We have consistently raised the issue both inside and outside the Assembly during the last four-and-a-half years, yet the project has not moved forward. One wonders whether anything meaningful will happen even in the next 15 days,” Viegas said.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva highlighted the critical importance of the project for the fishing community, pointing out that the Cutbona fishing jetty is home to more than 200 mechanised fishing vessels that continue to face severe navigational challenges while entering and exiting the River Sal.
“The fishing stakeholders have been demanding the training wall for the last 45 years. Ironically, while this crucial infrastructure continues to remain on paper, the ONGC and the government managed to construct a floating jetty near the River Sal mouth within a matter of months,” Silva remarked.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz also urged the government to intervene without further delay and provide immediate relief to the fishing community, stressing that the project is essential for the safety and livelihood of hundreds of fishermen.
Echoing similar concerns, Cutbona Boat Owners Federation Secretary Patrick D’Silva said the dangerous conditions at the river mouth have repeatedly resulted in boats running aground, causing extensive damage to fishing vessels and even claiming the lives of fishermen over the years.
“The hostile navigation conditions at the River Sal mouth have led to the destruction of boats and loss of precious lives. If another vessel runs aground tomorrow, the government will conveniently hold the boat owners responsible. We fail to understand why the government continues to drag its feet on the training wall when ONGC has already developed infrastructure adjoining the river despite lacking environmental clearance and panchayat permissions,” D’Silva alleged.
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Collector Velton Tellis acknowledged that the issue had dominated the meeting despite not being part of the official agenda.
Since the training wall was not listed on the agenda, Fisheries Department officials stated that they were not in a position to answer questions regarding the project’s status. I have instructed them to consult their higher authorities and come prepared with complete details at the next meeting with the stakeholders,” Tellis told reporters.
ONGC removes lights after fishermen’s navigation plaint
MARGAO: Officials of the ONGC on Friday told the district authorities that they have removed the illumination lights, installed at the complex at Betul following complaints lodged by the fishermen that illumination is hampering navigation at the mouth of River Sal.
The officials told Deputy Collector, Velton Tellis that they will remove the remaining two lights from the complex in the next few days.
After the submission made by the ONGC officials, the Deputy Collector has told the boat owners that they can inspect the site to verify the claims made by the Corporation.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, however, demanded that if the ONGC has removed the illegal lights put up at the complex at Betul, they should also remove the illegal poles as well.
Incidentally, Betul Sarpanch Damascus D’Silva told the media that the Betul panchayat had never given any permission to the ONGC for the construction of the floating jetty at Betul. In fact, he pointed out that the panchayat had issued a show cause notice to ONGC after an inspection, while lamenting that the ONGC has failed to reply to the notice till date.
