Team Herald
PANJIM: Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the second concrete floating jetty at Old Goa virtually on Sunday, in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on the occasion of Goa Statehood Day.
Mandaviya expressed hope that the floating jetty at Old Goa will prove a game changer for the tourism sector of Goa. He also announced that Panjim and Old Goa will be connected by ferry and cruise services.
The minister said the jetty will offer safe, hassle free transportation to the tourists. The minister lauded the work done by Goa government in making tourism sector a growth engine of the State. The installation of floating jetty will unfold newer avenues in tourism and economy, he added.
The first concrete jetty located at the Captain of Ports, Panjim was inaugurated by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on February 2020 at Panjim.
Concrete floating jetties have many advantages over the fixed jetties. Their price is approximately one-fifth of the price of fixed jetty. Similarly they are quicker to build and install, easier to use. The designed life of floating jetty is up to 50 years.
Also, being floating structures they don’t need CRZ clearances. They can be increased in size or reduced as per changes in users’ requirement or the changes in jetty site’s hydrographic profile, the minister said.
Sawant said that this is the second floating jetty built on river Mandovi (NW 68) and added that it will boost the tourism and hinterland waterways. The Government of India has approved four jetties in Goa and the remaining two jetties would be launched soon, he informed.
Union Minister of State for AYUSH (independent charge) Shripad Naik, Ports Minister Michael Lobo, Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, Corlim ZP Member Siddhesh Naik, Old Goa sarpanch Janita Madkaikar, Secretary (Ports) P S Reddy and Captain of Ports James Braganza were also present on the occasion.
