CoP to stop registration of new barges for 3 months
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, DEC 31
In a bid to regulate the number of barges along the inland waterways, the Captain of Ports (CoP) has decided to stop construction and registration of new barges in the State for a period of three months.
Welcoming the move, the Goa Barge Owner Association (GBOA) — the parent body of the barge industry in the State — has however stated that both CoP and GBOA should jointly verify other technical details so that purpose is served.
In its circular, the CoP has stated that the increasing numbers of barges plying in the rivers due to registration of new barges and congestion of the inland waterways has affected the safety of vessels in the river.
CoP Capt James Braganza has instructed that no permission will be given for new vessels from June 1, 2011 to Sept 15, 2011 and no plying permission shall be granted to barges in the state for those barges from neighbouring state, in order to have a control on the traffic density and safety of barges.
He further directed the GBOA and Goa Mineral Ore Export Association to identify the old and non-operational barges in order to scrap them to avoid the hindrance to other traffic along the inland waterways.
The CoP has, however, claimed that on expiry of one year from the date of issue of the circular, the CoP will regulate new construction and registration of new barges after carefully assessing and reviewing the situation in the state waterway.
The GBOA welcome the decision of CoP and stated that the CoP should permit new barges already in the process of construction.
“Both CoP and GBOA should verify four different aspects to effectively impose the circular: If any Bank or Financial institutions has sanctioned the loan and first disbursal taken, if any MOU has been signed with any builder and advance paid which can be verified by bank statements of both owner and builder or if the approval of drawings already obtained. If construction commenced or equipments like engines, gearboxes ordered, for which advance is received,” GBOA President Atul Jadhav said.
The GBOA has demanded that since their association represents over 80 per cent of barges in the State, they should be allowed regulate the barge traffic.
“In order to maintain proper order and regulation, the government should ensure that all barges are members of the GBOA. Similar measures have been taken in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat. These measures have helped the respective governments to maintain the health of the trade in these States,” said Jadhav.
