MAPUSA: The deteriorating condition of the Chapora jetty is causing distress among fishermen who alleged that the authorities were dragging their feet when it came to repairs.
The livelihood of fishermen from the area is threatened due to the creation of a sandbar (plain area) and it also poses a barrier to their boats.
The situation has prompted their demand for the construction of a retaining wall at the mouth of the Chapora river to tackle the sand bar problem. Repeated memorandums have been submitted to the fisheries department urging them to take action an this matter but no solution has come from them till date.
“Many accidents have occurred while attempting to remove the boats or when boats get stuck at the sand bar,” said a fisherman and added that they have to shell out a lot of money to repair their vessels . Despite decades of assurances, the jetty remains unrepaired, raising concerns about its structural stability.
Fishermen were peeved with the government officials who they said were indifferent and insensitive to their suffering.
“In the past, Rs 110 crore were sanctioned by the Central government for the jetty's development. However, the funds were returned as a proposal to construct a wall here met with stiff opposition as the area was a turtle nesting site.
Local panch member Surendra Govekar emphasised the urgency of addressing the sand bar issue and called for dredging of the river bed.
“Fishermen have raised their concerns with the Chief Minister through their local panchayat team and MLA, seeking a solution to this long-standing problem,” said Govekar.