Team Herald
MARGAO: After a review meeting at the district collectorate on Friday, boat owners operating from the Cutbona jetty expressed optimism about the current focus on infrastructure improvements.
A prominent topic discussed at the meeting was the Rs 10 lakh monthly cost the boat owners were expected to bear for installing toilets for the labour force.
The boat owners requested that they be required to pay only a third of this amount, citing that the recent cholera outbreak had been contained. Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira agreed that the reopening of two government-provided toilets would ease the situation but did not fully approve their request. Instead, it was agreed that the boat owners would pay two-thirds of the original amount, reducing their contribution to Rs 7 lakh.
Though the boat owners had hoped the government would further reduce the cost, they expressed their willingness to comply for now. They were pleased that Sequeira agreed to review the matter in 15 days, with the possibility of lowering their contribution if necessary.
The boat owners will have to provide for the portable toilets until the new 50-seater toilet block is constructed. The boat owners had initially agreed to the demand of paying Rs 10 lakh for providing 30 such toilets at the start of the cholera outbreak.
Sequeira reiterated that while the cholera outbreak has subsided, ensuring an adequate number of toilets remains the responsibility of the boat owners, as they employ the labourers. He emphasised that this precaution is necessary, even though the immediate health crisis has passed.
Speaking to the media after their meeting with Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, the boat owners noted that work which had not been carried out in the last 20 years was completed within a month. For years, boat owners have been appealing to authorities to address long-standing issues at the jetty. “We hope that this attention will continue, ensuring the smooth functioning of the jetty in the future,” they said.
Sequeira, who has been overseeing the repairs, confirmed that the jetty is now in much better condition. He credited the rapid progress to the coordination between the Chief Minister, relevant departments, and the Fish Federation.
The boat owners also acknowledged that meetings with the Fisheries Minister, Secretary, and Fisheries Director have been productive. However, despite the improvements, some issues remain unresolved.
The contractor responsible for providing the toilet facilities was also present at the meeting. Additionally, it was announced that the Chief Minister could visit the jetty next week for a final review of the improvements, following his earlier commitment to inspect the completed work.