MARGAO: Boat owners from Cutbona as well as neighbouring areas like Betul etc have complained of pathetic conditions at the Cutbona jetty and lament that all these issues should have been sorted out much earlier given that the fishing season opens up on August 1.
Regarding the season opening, while workers are slowly making a return to the jetty where they will work as fishing crew for the trawlers, the boat owners say that weather conditions will determine if they can venture out or not but that they are prepared to do so.
Savio Da Silva, former president of Cutbona Boat Owners Association expressed disappointment with the Fisheries Minister and Fisheries Director for failing to fulfil repeated past assurances and for not visiting the jetty to inspect the conditions.
He pointed out to the bad roads filled with potholes that make it difficult for their vehicles to move in or out of the jetty and that even though the tender process was completed, the work will begin after the monsoon.
Boat owners also pointed out that the Fisheries Department has stated that the toilets are in running condition but that in reality, the toilets are not being used and have not been inaugurated yet. Da Silva said the Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has to check these issues personally.
Boat owners lamented that assurances given to them about construction of the much-needed retaining wall has not yet been fulfilled.
Boat owners also alleged that the government has failed to ensure a safe navigation channel at the mouth of River Sal hampering the smooth movements of fishing boats in the area.
Da Silva pointed contradictory statements were made on the issue with Fisheries Minister stating that the matter was awaiting environmental clearance whereas Chief Minister Pramod Sawant saying that there was no such proposal.
