PANJIM, APRIL 4
The government has planned to expand and upgrade Malim, Cuttbona, Cortalim and Chapora jetties to international standards.
The fisheries department has invited expression of interest to take up the project.
Director of Fisheries S C Vernekar told Herald that the four jetties would be upgraded with 75 per cent funding from the Ministry of Agriculture.
All the jetties in the State are congested and under-equipped to handle increasing trade. The expansion includes building more ice plants, auction sheds, net mending sheds, dry docking facilities, said Vernekar.
As a part of the expansion, the river mouth of Chapora River will be dredged and there are plans to install water breaks as well.
Installing water breaks need huge investment at Rs 50-60 crore but the department has included it in its expansion plan for jetties. Also, fish processing facilities will be built at four jetties.
Currently, processing facilities are available only in Khorlim.
Safety equipments: The Central government will provide safety equipments to fishermen.
Under a central scheme fishermen will be given GPS, VHS, fish finders etc.
However, trackers which the department had requested for have not been approved yet. The tracker if installed at the central office or the jetty can help to locate the vessel at sea.
