Team Herald
PORVORIM: The tripartite agreement would be signed between the Inland Waterways Authority (IWAI) – a parent agency of Union Ministry for Shipping, Goa Government and Mormugao Port Trust in next one or two months as a part of nationalisation of seven rivers in the State, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the House on Thursday assuring that even after nationalisation of waterways, the operational powers will be vested with the State government.
He informed the Assembly that under the National Waterways Act, seven rivers of Goa are identified as national rivers.
“We are in the process of finalising the MoU between IWAI, Goa government and MPT which is nodal agency,” he said. “In next one or two months, the MoU would be signed. Once we get into agreement we will be eligible for funding from the central government. In fact more funding,” CM said.
“I had raised the issue before the Union Ministry over the apprehensions raised by many on losing of rights over the rivers. Minister has assured that even after nationalisation of the waterways, the operational powers will continue to be with the State,” he added.
CM said that Central government has laid emphasis on encouraging the passenger and goods traffic using water ways, which is the cheapest mode of transport.
He was responding to a question tabled by Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who raised fear of State losing its hold over the seven rivers post-nationalisation.
Allaying the fears of environmental impact with the desilting of rivers as a part of nationalisation of waterways, Parrikar said that all the projects would be approved only after EIA is conducted.
CM clarified that the proposed dredging of the Chapora River is not of the entire river but only of the navigational channel.
