PANJIM: The Captain of Ports on Monday clarified that the proposed jetty at Rassaim, Loutolim, is exclusively for commuter transportation even as the government has decided to redevelop nine jetties across the State under the Centre’s Sagartat Samriddhi Yojana.
Deputy Captain of Ports Premlal Sirsaikar said that the State government 2019 prepared budget estimates of Rs 73 crore to redevelop nine jetties located at Aldona, Ribandar, Old Goa, Pilgao, Banastarim, Rassaim, Durbhat, Shiroda and Sanvordem. All these jetties were to be redeveloped under the Sagartat Samriddhi Yojana of the Union Ministry of Shipping, exclusively for commuter transportation.
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“The Sagartat Samriddhi Yojana is a scheme for coastal community development and to boost coastal tourism. The Government of India is giving 50 per cent grants-in-aid for redevelopment and strengthening of these projects. Most of these jetties are small in size and meant for commuter transportation only,” Capt Sirsaikar said, adding that for the last six years, the Goa government has not been able to undertake these projects due to public opposition.
Referring to the Rassaim jetty, Capt Sirsaikar said, “A week ago, a group of villagers and NGOs met me and I explained to them that the jetty will be redeveloped for commuter transportation. The villagers have a wrong notion that the jetty will be developed and used for coal transportation, which is not true.”
Capt Sirsaikar further said, “The Rassaim jetty will be 30 metres long and six metres wide. It was to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs six crore.”
The State government intends to refurbish and strengthen the nine jetties for ferry services for local commuters, ferry services for tourism and berthing facilities for barges/houseboats and cruise vessels along the waterway routes.
