PORVORIM: Indirectly batting for nationalisation of six rivers from Goa, CM Sawant said the State will have to seek support from the Centre for desilting and navigation of these rivers, after legislators, both from ruling and opposition, proposed desiliting of rivers as one of the measure to prevent flooding during monsoons.
However, GFP legislator Vijai Sardesai and Congress MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco raised strong objection to the backdoor entry to nationalisation of waterways in the name of desiliting. Sardesai said that they will not back nationalisation as it will make our rivers, coal and ore transportation highways. While Lourenco said the govt should not hand over Goa’s rivers to private players in the name of nationalisation.
Sawant explaind that there are total six rivers- Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Cumbharjua, Mapusa and Chapora under the Act, for regularisation and development of waterways for shipping and navigation purpose. “Except for Mandovi and Zuari, none other rivers can be called as rivers at current status. At the same time, the State is not in a position to undertake regulation and navigation of these rivers. We will have to take the Centre’s support for desiliting and navigation purpose. We need to beautify these rivers and put in use,” Sawant said.
The House witnessed a prolonged discussion on the calling attention motion moved by MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar pointing to the fear and anxiety in the minds of people due to heavy flooding, uprooting of trees, landslides, etc in several villages as well as urban areas. “Promotion of inland waterways is the only option to prevent flooding by undertaking desilting,” Dhavalikar said, while adding that during his tenure as PWD minister, he had got Rs 2000 crore sanctioned from the Centre for disiliting of the major rivers like Sal, Mandovi, Zuari; however, the project was stalled following opposition.
He was backed by NCP MLA Churchill Alemao, who questioned Congress’s opposition to the nationalisation of waterways. He said unless the rivers are desilted, the problem of flooding cannot be solved. He also requested the opposition not to oppose things that are in the State interest.
BJP MLA Glen Ticlo, Isidore Fernandes and Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane backed desilting of the rivers.
