Fishermen in Goa have expressed their frustration over the lack of a ramp facility, which they say is crucial for the safe removal of their boats from the Mandovi river. The issue came to a head on Friday when a local official from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) instructed fishermen to move their boats from the river bank, leading to concerns over the safety and livelihood of local fishing communities.
Parshuram Naik, a local fisherman, shared his grievances, stating, "We had demanded a ramp to facilitate the process of getting our boats out of the river. This request has been ignored for a long time. Two of our boats were damaged after hitting rocks in the riverbed because of the lack of a proper ramp. We had to move them under the Mandovi bridge where the water is shallower and the sand is more forgiving."
Naik, speaking on behalf of more than 100 families who depend on fishing in the Mandovi, also questioned the government's treatment of local fishermen. "The mayor is asking us to remove the boats, but where should we house these damaged boats? Why is the government making life harder for us when we rely on fishing to survive?" Naik said.
The fishermen also raised concerns about the dwindling clam harvest in the Mandovi river over the past few years, attributing the decline to pollution, which they believe is caused by the casinos operating along the river.
The Smart City project, which initially proposed a ramp for the fishermen, has failed to follow through on that promise. According to the fishermen, the current plan no longer includes the ramp, further deepening their frustration. "The earlier plan showed a ramp, but now the authorities have removed it. It’s frustrating to see such promises go unfulfilled," they added.
The fishermen have called on the authorities to prioritize their needs, urging the government to build the ramp as promised to support their livelihoods.