SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Following complaints by trawler owners about hygiene-related issues at the Cutbona Jetty and the delay on the part of the government to construct toilets there, the Fisheries Department has stated that they are waiting for permissions before the new toilets can be made operational.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said that a 12-seater toilet block has been installed at the Cutbona fisheries complex at the cost of Rs. 34,72,670 for the benefit of the labourers working at the jetty. He added that the toilet block has not yet been commissioned as the department had applied for the Consent to Establish with the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the same is under process. He assured that this shall be put in operation shortly.
“The Fisheries department is also in the process of constructing a 50-seater toilet cum bathroom facility through M/s Sulabh International Social Service Organization, Porvorim, at the cost of Rs. 95,86,467. The proposal has been submitted to the government for approval,’ said the Minister.
He further stated that the department has proposed to construct STP through Sewerage Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Limited at the cost of Rs.75,32,535.51 and that this work is at the tender stage.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva had also raised concerns about the delay in this regard while trawler owners had said these issues should have been addressed earlier.
Silva has also approached the Captain of Ports (Cop) to carry out the dredging work at the mouth of River Sal as a sandbar has blocked the navigational channel which has prevented the trawlers to head out to sea or return to the jetty.
It may be recalled that CMPramod Sawant has also given an assurance for expediting the construction of the breakwater facility at the mouth of River Sal.
