under the banner of Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA) has agreed to accept the comprehensive master plan drawn by State government in consultation with Mormugao Port Trust, which will not only save majority of their 363 dwelling but would resolve the long pending jetty issue for the fishermen community from Khariwado.
Addressing a joint press conference in Vasco, GFBOA members informed that the issue of fishing jetty at Khariwado has been pending since last over forty years. Similarly, the sword of demolition of their dwellings was hanging on their heads, however as assured by the former chief minister and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar the issue was amicably resolved.
“This is second generation fighting for the fishing jetty at Khariwado. This was one of the long pending demand which was promised by various political parties but was fulfilled by the BJP government and it is like a dream come true for all the fishermen community from Khariwado,” said GFBOA President Augusto Fernandes.
Another Fishermen Ronny D’Souza said that as per memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 1994, only 194 houses were supposed to be rehabilitated. However, with constant follow up by our Vasco MLA and after a series of meetings with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, all the 363 houses located close to Khariwado shore would now be protected, he said.
“Also, we will now get a world class fishing jetty for which the plans have been drawn up with our participation,” he said.
Thanking state Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, MPT chairman I Jayakumar, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, GFBOA member Simon Pereira said, “It was due to mischief played by the earlier MPT chairman, this important issue could not be resolved. Our present Jetty is very small and is in left in dilapidated conditions due to which our fishermen were facing severe hardships.”
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida informed that under the new plan, Vasco bay would be divided into two. One part of the bay would be taken over by MPT for their expansion while other half of the bay will have ultra morden fishing jetty of 500 meters length. The new jetty will also have facilities for passenger vessel operations. Similarly as per the new plan only 18 to 20 existing structures which have been obstructing access way for new jetty would be removed and rehabilitated, and other structures would remain safe and will not face any demolition.
“Likewise fishermen community, this issue was very important for me as the same was one of my election promise which now has been resolved and fulfilled. Thia modern jetty would be constructed under Sagar Mala scheme for which funds of over 120 crores would be shared by central(75%) and state (25%) government,” Almeida said.
Also we have decided that on December 22 2016, foundation stone for new jetty would be laid at the hands of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar,” he said.
