PANJIM: The Ministry of
Shipping has denied any opposition to the nationalization of six rivers in the
State even as opponent political parties have objected to the project.
“No. The consent of Goa
government was obtained before the declaration of six National Waterways in
Goa,” Union Minister for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya said replying to a question
tabled by Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik.
The minister further
submitted that Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has held
consultations with the Goa government and the Mormugao Port Trust on issues
such as dredging, river training works, bank protection, terminal construction
with equipment, navigational aids, etc to develop the national waterways. “A
Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between IWAI and MPT based on the
consultation for development of six national waterways in Goa in a phased
manner,” the reply stated.
The State has witnessed
stiff opposition to handing over the jurisdiction of inland waterways to the
central government. Union government had
declared six Goan rivers including Zuari, Mandovi, Chapora, Cumbharjua canal,
Mapusa River and Sal River as national waterways, last year. Then River
Navigation Minsiter Ramkrishna Dhavalikar had clarified that decision of
jurisdiction of the rivers was still at preliminary stage.
