Tensions rise, police called in
TEAM HERALD
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VASCO: Residents of Voddant Vasco on Thursday objected to the ongoing works of Goa Shipyard alleging that the work is “illegal” and the piling work and painting of ships has led to noise and air pollution in the area.
About 50 residents of Voddant reportedly set fire to some garbage close to the piling work that is going on at Goa Shipyard to construct a new jetty to carry out repairs of new ships.
The locals claimed that permissions for modernisation of the shipyard were given in 2007 and at land (survey 69) towards Vaddem beach.
Urban Rodrigues said there are 1,000 residents, mostly traditional fishermen. “The marine life has ceased to exist, which was our bread-winner, due to noise and water pollution,” claimed Rodrigues.
As the situation started getting tense, Mormugao Mamlatdar Laximikant Desai, Mormugao Deputy Collector Gaurish Shankwalkar, DySP Laurence D’Souza, Vasco PI Rupendra Shetgaokar along with the Vasco Police force controlled the situation.
Addressing a press conference, the general manager for modernisation of the shipyard S P Raikar refuted all allegations made by locals and said Goa Shipyard has all required permissions and has already forwarded it to the State government.
“Goa Shipyard does not have any intention to displace the locals and we haven’t reclaimed any part of the river as claimed by the locals,” stated Raikar. “I don’t have any knowledge about the disappearance of the marine life,” he added.
When requested to table the permission acquired by Goa Shipyard from various agencies / authorities, Raikar said he has already submitted it to the State government.
