PORVORIM: In a bid to promote use of inland waterways, the legislators demanded de-silting of major State’s rivers for navigational purpose. The legislators urged the govt to take immediate steps to undertake dredging of rivers, for encouraging waterway passenger transportation.
Senior Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane questioned the govt’s failure to promote inland waterways, which were once used to ferry passengers within the State as well as to the neighbouring districts.
“Government needs to dredge rivers for navigational purpose. We need to utilise our rivers for public transportation. We need to introduce fast moving boats. Goa has a wide scope for inland waterways and we need to take advantage of it,” Rane said. NCP MLA Churchill Alemao stressed on the need for de-silting of the rivers, to ensure free flow of water, and opening up rivers for navigational channels.
MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar demanded that the govt make its stand clear as far as nationalisation of rivers is concerned. “There is lot of misconception as far as declaring Goa’s six rivers as national waterways. There is apprehension that promotion of inland waterways is for the purpose of coal transportation. Government needs to make this clear,” he said.
Dhavalikar, the former Minister for River Navigation, said there is no issue as far as State govt and Central govt is concerned on the subject; the problem is with State govt and people. “The tri-partite agreement between inland waterways – government is ready but no further decision is taken on it. Govt will get Rs 5000 crore for dredging and navigation of these rivers,” he said.
