Cops directed to book drivers for water spillage
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, APRIL 30
Maintaining that High Court directives have been literally thrown to the wind by erring fish transporters, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Margao has directed the police to book erring truck drivers for the offense of water spillage and to ensure that trucks sans protective measures are sent back to the Cutbona fishing jetty.
The SDM, Johnson Fernandes has directed the Police Inspector of Cuncolim police station to fix an inspection of all vehicles transporting fish on May 12 at 10 at the Cutbona jetty to oversee whether the vehicles are fulfilling the norms/criteria laid down by the high court.
Taking serious note of the complaints from Velim villagers over fish water spillage, the SDM said even if the erring truck adopts temporary measures, the same should not be allowed to play until and unless the vehicle adopts corrective measures of permanent nature.
The SDM issued the directions at a joint meeting of the villagers of Velim and police department this evening as villagers contended that water spillage from the fish transporting trucks has turned roads unmotorable resulting in accidents.
At today’s meeting, the villagers contended that the trucks transporting fish are not properly sealed, resulting into spillage of the water on the roads.
Incidentally, the police department had posted three personnel at the exit point of the Cutbona jetty to verify claims of water spillage from the trucks. While there was no spillage at the exit point, water spillage took place thereafter, the villagers claimed.
After hearing the villagers and the police, the deputy Collector maintained that the grievances need to be sorted out on a priority basis. As an interim measure, the deputy Collector directed the Cuncolim police to depute two police constables at the exit point of the Cutbona jetty. Besides, directions were issued to post two police constables behind St Xavier’s Church, Velim in the market area near the sharp turn.
Saying that the high court has clearly laid down the principles which are to be strictly adhered to by the law enforcing agencies, the deputy Collector observed that “perhaps over the period of years, this code has not been adhered and hence there appears to be lawlessness by some erring transporters”.
The residents of Velim are up in arms against water spillage from trucks transporting fish from the Cutbona fishing jetty to Karnataka. Agitated over the number of accidents taking place due to slippery roads caused by water spillage, the residents stopped the trucks at Velim, forcing the authorities to direct the trawler owners to take precautions to prevent the spillage from the vehicles.
Trawler owner, Elvis Gomes, however, said the owners of fishing vessels have been taking precautions by personally checking the vehicles laden with fish for any spillage.
He said the problem can be overcome if the government set up a fish mill plant at the Cutbona jetty. “We will check the trucks whether the vehicle has fitted any tank for collection of water. The owners ensure that the trucks leave the jetty only during night time and are ready to even clean the roads”, he said.
