MARGAO/CUNCOLIM: With the aim to find a permanent solution to the navigational issues faced by the fishing community at the mouth of River Sal at Cutbona, traditional fishermen and trawler owners will meet Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after Ganesh Chaturthi.
Due to the sandbar at the mouth of the River, the navigational channel is blocked and the boats can only cross that area during favourable tide levels. Incidentally, this issue also affects traditional fishermen from Cavelossim village, which is on the other side of the river.
The fishing community has demanded that a retaining wall and more importantly a breakwater facility be constructed which they say will ensure that they no longer have to face the kind of hardship and losses they have suffered over the last decade.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva said he had sought a meeting with the Chief Minister and that the authorities such as the Fisheries Department, Captain of Ports and others have been reviewing the matter.
He said the government is also following up on getting the necessary Environment Clearance (EC) to start work on the retaining wall and breakwater facility, and that the tender may have to be reissued, with revised rates.
Silva pointed out that the recent spell of adverse weather conditions helped widen the navigational channel which will help the trawlers and boats to venture out into the sea and get back in.
