PANJIM: As the State government has decided to stop access to the public at the iconic Dona Paula jetty owing to its structural issues, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Thursday confirmed that it has no plans to relocate or shift the small vendors from the site as they are not authorised by the corporation.
The decision comes following a report from the Managing Director of Imagine Panjim Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) recommending the closure of the jetty. Imagine Panjim, entrusted with the task, had in December 2017 suggested to the government to close the jetty in view of the deteriorating state of the structure.
Speaking to Herald, CCP Commissioner Ajit Roy said, “As of now the reality is that the vendors who run small businesses at the Dona Paula jetty for the past many years are not authorised by CCP and as a result of this the corporation will not be in a position, or for that matter has no plans to either shift or relocate them to another site.”
Imagine Panjim CEO and MD Swayan Chaudhary also told Herald that demolition of the jetty does not mean the entire structure would be demolished. “As far as the livelihoods are concerned I personally feel that a number of people have livelihood out of that place and government policies are of the people than vice-versa,” Chaudhary said.
He said, “I am sure that government will take a considerate call for the people who are currently based there and utmost care should be taken so that no livelihoods are affected during the entire intervention process but not to forget that public safety is top priority and of utmost concern. The project will be completed in a time bound manner.”
The Dona Paula jetty today stands neglected. The railings have corroded and are broken in many places, posing a threat to visitors. The electrical lamps, too, have stopped functioning.
Herald had recently visited the jetty and spoken to some of the vendors along with restaurant owners who revealed they were in complete shock following the decision to close the spot as this could result in them losing their livelihood.
