------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------- MPT to construct new jetty for Khariwada fishermen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Deputy Speaker, Mr Mauvin Godinho, who played a key role in having successful talks between Mormugao Bachav Abhiyan, Mormugao Port Trust and the state government in the backdrop of agitation against the MPT's expansion plans, today said that a well-equipped fishing jetty would come into reality for the fishermen at Khariwada during the tenure of MPT chairman, Mr Praveeen Agarwal. Mr Godinho was addressing the media this afternoon along with the Mormugao MLA, Mr Milind Naik, MBA convenor, Mr Simon Pereira, Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association president, Mr Ronny D'Souza, Vaddem Citizens Forum convenor, Mr Vishnu Bandekar and others. He told that the MPT had agreed to construct a 500 meter long new fishing jetty in Vasco Bay for the fishermen of Khariwada and that too it would be completed during the tenure of the MPT chairman, Mr Agarwal, within a period of 5-years. He said that the MPT had dropped the proposal of constructing fishing jetty at Chicalim and Vaddem. He further stated that the MPT had agreed to issue no objection certificate to the Maritime Training Institute coming up at Vaddem which would provide employment to the local youths in large numbers. Vasco Bay, Baina Bay, Vaddem Bay and Chicalim Bay at Illare would be kept open for the general public to spent their leisure time, stated Mr Godinho and further pointed out that the MPT would take into confidence the MBA and local people before initiating any developmental works. Mr Godinho opined that the MPT should grow however on the other hand various associations which were existing in the port town should also prosper with the changing times. He also said that the MPT had agreed to shift coal unloading activity to the berth 5A and 6A from the existing berths 10 and 11. It was informed that the coal handling operations at berths 10 and 11 would be stopped immediately and the accumulated coal stocks would be expeditiously shifted though rail and road transport within two months. "After the current stocks are over no more transportation by road will take place except for the local users, which will also be for the six months", stated Mr Godinho. He informed that the three ships waiting with the coal stocks would be allowed to unload their cargo at the berths 10 and 11 in compliance with the stipulated pollution control measures and thereafter no further ships would be allowed at berths 10 and 11. Mr Pereira informed that the MPT had agreed to allow the members of MLOA to operate from the passenger launch jetty. It was informed that no outside and additional launches and trawlers or any other craft would be allowed to ferry passenger, material and other activity, within the port limits. The tariff structure would be mutually decided by the MPT, users and MLOA, Mr Pereira informed and added that as per the MoU signed between MPT, MBA and state government, the MPT had agreed to increase the number of trustees on the MPT Board from Goa and to give representation to the MBA and GFBOA so that the problems on the ground could be brought to the Board. The MPT has agreed for the berthing facilities at the MPT breakwater to at least 30 barges besides it has agreed to provide as usual fresh water, and diesel to all the barges. The MPT has also agreed to consider NOCs for barge repair and ship repair on case-to-case basis within 45 days as per current rules. The MPT has agreed to grant permission for dredging and decided to restore the confiscated gate passes. The Mormugao MLA said that the MPT had agreed not to remove any religious structure and demolish the houses coming under the alignment of the four-lane highway. Mr Bandekar expressed sincere gratitude to the residents of Vaddem and Vasco who opposed the proposed plan of the MPT to construct fishing jetty at Vaddem. In view of the agitation, the Goa Barge Owners Association, Vasco, president, Mr Atul Jadhav said that they had incurred a loss of Rs 4 crore during the three -days of agitation. He informed that in all 170 big barges and 70 small barges were moored off Mormugao port. ------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 15/02/08 page 2 ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ----------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ----------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------- __._,_.___
