meet opposes expansion of Cortalim fishing jetty
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CORTALIM, FEB 8
Hot on the heals of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) pressing for the closure of Kariwado fishing jetty in view of security threats, the residents of Cortalim and Quelossim on Sunday opposed any moves by the government to expand fishing jetty at Ferry Point, Cortalim.
The issue of expansion of the jetty was hotly debated at a special gram sabha called to submit suggestions and oppose any proposal on the draft Regional Plan for Cortalim and Quelossim.
Setting the tone, former Cortalim deputy sarpanch Raymond De Sa who also owns ship repair workshops apart from barges, alleged that there were moves by some disgruntled elements to close down the workshops along the river belt of Nova Palmar and Maddant which were in existence for over two decades.
Stating that the draft Regional Plan clearly showed the area was earmarked for industries, he claimed that there were moves to change the area from industrial zone to tourism activity with a sole purpose of getting rid of shipping business.Stating that many people were directly and indirectly dependent on shipping, De Sa accused those who were then responsible for issue licenses were now trying to close down their businesses.
However, ex-panch Nicolau Fernandes said that there were no suggestions made to close down any workshop but to oppose the expansion of fishing jetty and also to set up a recreational facility for the locals.
However, De Sa said that he had spoken to the deputy director of fisheries on Friday who informed him that they would only upgrade the jetty by providing water facility, patrol pump and dredging.
Agreeing with De Sa, Sarpanch Caitano Xavier admitted that it was not possible to close any existing workshops. Regarding recreational facility, the sarpanch said that it was up to the owner to give his land for such a facility. However, the gram sabha made it clear not to allow any new workshops on that stretch since the area was already congested.
Later, the gram sabha also suggested to the sarpanch to incorporate missing landmarks in their villages like roads, lakes, schools, churches, temples in the Regional Plan.
