VASCO: The work for dredging of the existing outer channel that is to be deepened from 14.3 meters to 19.8 meters and the inner turning circle from 14.1 meters to 19.5 meters would now be taken up under contract model replacing the old plans of carrying out the same by annuity model as no foreign players came forward for the same possibly due to financial apprehensions, said the Chairman of Mormugao Port trust, I Jeyakumar.
“Although we had all plans to carry out dredging work using annuity model, nobody is willing to take the risk of 12 years. Many of the foreign bidders had financial apprehensions with the annuity model and to avoid risk they kept themselves away. Now we decided to change our plans. We have decided to go with contract model in place of annuity model with capital dredging and maintenance every two years — this is normal model. We will award the contract in this financial year and would then start capsize dredging work by next financial year. Also, this will be more practical and MPT will save more money,” he said.
Commenting on the proposed plans to start ferry services from Baina to Dona Paula, Chairman said, “From our side we had given our clearance now it is for the operator (Dhristi) who has to obtain permissions from directorate of fisheries and Tourism. Once they get all these permission then they would start the operations. Also another issue that resulted in delay of commencement of services was because the concern party had ordered four crafts (speed boat vessel with 80 passenger capacity and speed of 40 nautical miles) but the delivery of the same is expected to take place in the month of January or February. However if the same gets more delayed, then, the service will also get delayed.”
Speaking about opposition from locals to the ferry services, he said, “for any good project there would be something, people need to understand that the vessels would operate from temporary wooden jetty from Baina and will not affect anyone. Also it will be temporary operations where the services would be provided only for 240 days in a year,” he said.
On the ongoing issue due to non-plying of barges, he said, “The barge issue needs to be settled.”
