VASCO: The much-awaited ferry services between Baina and Dona Paula are likely to start by December, Mormugao Port Trust Chairman I Jeyakumar said.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Jeyakumar claimed that all formalities have been completed, including obtaining ‘no objection certificates’ for the ferry services from different government agencies including, tourism department, Captain of Ports, and others.
After that, the MPT has allocated an area of land (1500 sq mts) on the Baina beach to the Drishti Marine Solutions Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, to take up work on constructing passenger amenities, including sitting area, ticketing hall, he said.
He said that Drishti would construct a temporary wooden jetty on the beach to operate ferry services shortly.
“We are happy to announce that all the required NOCs from State government agencies for the ferry services have already been received and it is now for Drishti to start the operations as soon as possible. We have given all support to ensure that the services begin,” he said.
He further said, “The operator will soon provide an action plan which the MPT had asked for. Also, we have asked the operator to start the services from the coming tourist season, however, as the ferry boat ordered from Europe did not arrive, the operations could not start. We are now confident that a full-fledged service from Baina to Dona Paula will start from December 2016,” Jeyakumar concluded.
