PANJIM: Amidst opposition to the nationalisation of six rivers in the State, River Navigation Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar on Tuesday defended the government’s decision and said that the State will have control over waterways transport.
“Central government has a right over waterways but State government is an authority for transport in the rivers,” Dhavalikar said, criticising the oppositions for misleading the people on the issue of nationalisation of rivers proposed by the Union Shipping Ministry.
The minister said that the right currently held by the State government will continue to be with the local administration and would not be transferred to the Centre.
“Various activities like dredging of the rivers that is happening as part of nationalisation is the need of the hour as our waterways are choked with silt. Locals have been asking for dredging of River Sal, we are doing that now,” Dhavalikar said adding that the State does not have the expertise and funding to dredge the rivers.
“There are instances wherein ships have grounded in silt. There are some spots where dredging is must. At some stretches, the ferry boats cannot operate because of silt,” he said.
The Centre has proposed nationalisation of Rivers Mandovi, Sal, Mapusa, Zuari, Cumbharjua and Chapora. The opposition, including Congress and Goa Forward, has opposed the move calling it anti-Goan and pro-corporate, having far-reaching adverse effects on demography and livelihood of Goans.
Dhavalikar accused the opposition of trying to confuse the people on the issue. “Opposition is trying to mislead people and distract them. The question of local fishermen losing livelihood does not arise as nationalization will have not have impact whatsoever on the fishing community,” he said.
