Team Herald
VASCO: Breaking his silence on the recent controversy of deepening the river channel to service capesize vessels at Mormugao Port, Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) Cyril George said the Board of trustees was initially concerned about the financial aspect of the project. However, their doubts were cleared after being given a detailed presentation.
He added that the Mormugao Port Trust could now move forward with the proposal to deepen the channel to 19 metres through dredging.
It may be recalled that the Mormugao Port and Railway Workers Union (MPRWU) and Goa Port and Docks Employees’ Union (GPDEU) had threatened to launch a strike and stop all operations at MPT if it went ahead with the proposal to deepen the channel.
“It is the government’s decision that all ports in the country should have a deep draft so that more and bigger ships can visit the port. Only then can the business at the port be increased. Decades ago, minor ports used to handle only 10 percent of the total share of cargo, but the same has increased to 43 percent today. It proves that in comparison to major ports, minor ports are expanding. Further, if we see Jaigarh Port, Gangavaram Port and Visakhapatnam Port, they have capesize vessel facilities (big size vessel). Thus, for a profitable future, even MPT requires capesize vessels,” said George.
Regarding the Board of Trustees’ (BoT) statements that the project would be a burden on the Mormugao Port Trust, George said, “This is the government’s port. If there is any financial issue, the government is there to look after the same. I don’t understand why there should be any worry when the government is supporting the port in all issues. Also, once the project is conceptualized, Mormugao Port Trust will get an extra amount on the cargo brought to the port by capesize vessels.”
Regarding the allegation that MPT hurriedly passed the proposal, he said, “On July 28, the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meeting was scheduled and we had received a short notice. Thus, I had hurried a little as the issue was to be placed in the SFC meeting. However, it was later brought to my notice that the meeting stands postponed. I got enough time to present the proposal before the BoT, and after my presentation, everyone present agreed to the proposal except for some points raised by the trustees. Even those points were clarified.”
He further stated that the deepening project did not have any environmental impact as all technical studies had been completed. MPT had now started moving files to seek permissions from the Environment Department at the Centre and State. He also said that the financial condition of MPT is very good. Last year it recorded Rs 30 crore profits, while the losses were due to the mining ban in the State.
