MARGAO: Boat owners from Cutbona have called on the State government to carry out urgent repair and development work in and around the jetty area before August 1, when the fishing ban will be lifted.
Although many of these concerns have been raised with the government previously, the boat owners had hoped for earlier resolutions, particularly addressing the navigational difficulties caused by the sandbar at the mouth of River Sal.
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Savio Da Silva, former president of the Cutbona Boat Owners Association, emphasized the immediate need for road repairs leading to the jetty, highlighting heavy waterlogging and comparing it to the conditions in Panjim.
“None of the issues we have raised before have been addressed,” Da Silva lamented.
Da Silva also pointed out functionality issues with the recently constructed but unused toilets and problems at the new jetty. He further questioned the presence of scrap boats at the jetty, which occupy space that could be utilized for purchasing new trawler boats once the scrap boats are removed.
Other boat owners also raised concerns regarding nearby bars allegedly operating without permissions, attracting migrant laborers. They also highlighted the issue of landfilling in nearby water bodies that requires the government’s attention.
While they anticipate responses from the Fisheries Department during the upcoming Assembly session, they criticized the department for being proactive in issuing notices but lethargic in addressing their infrastructure and related concerns at the jetty. Additionally, they expressed dissatisfaction with the security personnel responsible for manning the gates, as certain unauthorised activities persist within the jetty premises.
