PANJIM: In a shocking directive, Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari has asked the State government to issue a notice to Captain of Ports (CoP) for providing misleading information on the nationalisation of inland waterways project.
“This Captain of Goa (ports) thinks he is very smart… they have more knowledge… Chief Minister please issue him a notice and seek explanation on his misleading information,” Gadkari told Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, while addressing media persons on Friday.
Gadkari’s statement came when it was pointed out that the Captain of Ports Minister is on record saying that Goa has not given its consent for the nationalisation project. However, the Union Minister misheard the question and charged on the Captain of Ports.
“The nationalization of inland waterways legislation was passed by the Parliament following a request from Goa government to include Zuari and Mandovi Rivers under the project and that Centre has sanctioned Rs 120 crore,” Gadkari said.
The Union Minister also directed the State government to lay foundation stones for most of its projects in the next one month, including for the nationalization of inland waterways project.
He announced that the Union government would be spending Rs 3,500 crore on the construction of iconic cable stayed 8-lane new Zuari Bridge, and proposed a sea plane and cruise service between Mumbai and Goa.
He said that besides the Rs 3,500 crore on the bridge the ministry will spend another Rs 1000 crore on the approach roads across the bridge. “The iconic cable stayed bridge would be a world attraction, by way of having viewing gallery atop showcasing Goa’s history, light and sound shows, restaurant, etc,” he said.
Announcing that Ministry has approved ferry service from Baina to Dona Paula and back, he said that in a bid to promote waterways as a tourist attraction, they are contemplating to launch a sea plane and cruise service from Mumbai to Goa.
“I appeal ot businessmen in Goa to come and invest in such major tourist attraction projects,” he said.
