PONDA: A barge sank last night around 1.30 am. The vessel was anchored in Zuari a few metres away from Rassaim ferry ramp. This capsize led to panic among ferry passengers on Monday who feared that their vessel(s) might hit the sunken barge causing mishap(s).
The ferry services begin early in the day and continue till late night and hundreds of people avail of the same. At least three ferries operate in this route on Rassaim-Durbhat and Rassaim-Adpoi. The ferry services connect Vasco and Ponda. The passengers are mostly government servants and industrial workers at both ends.
Locals felt that either the government authorities or the owner of the sunken barge should have extricated the vessel as soon as possible to avert any mishap. The barge had sunk a few metres off Rasoi ferry ramp. The ferries while departing the ramp, often require to go in a reverse mode and at this point of time in case of strong high tides and winds, the vessel(s) may drift towards the capsized barge.
Till some years back, hundreds of barges plied on Zuari river to transport iron and goods from hinterland to the trans-shippers before the cargo was dispatched to ore purchasing countries. While the scenario has changed now after slowdown in mining business in Goa, many barges are seen anchored along the coastlines. They are left to rot and rust as there are no takers for barges.
