Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa became the first state in the country to get a floating jetty, a move to boost tourism as well as employment, with three more set to be introduced by June. With this, the State is set to revive its old mode of travel via waterways considering that vehicular traffic on the roads has increased manifold.
The concrete-made portable and easy to use jetty was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya at the Port Department’s premise on the bank of River Mandovi on Friday. Three jetties at Old Goa, Panjim ferry wharf and Chopdem River will be added in the next four months, he said while addressing a gathering during the launch.
“The country’s first floating jetty has come up in Goa. In the coming four months, I will return to Goa to inaugurate three other jetties. We have to take advantage of this special facility as it will generate economy, increase tourism and also bring in more employment,” Mandaviya said. The jetties, fully-funded by the Centre, costs Rs 9.6 crore.
In the wake of increasing traffic across the country including in the vicinity of airports, Mandaviya proposed to extend this initiative along the entire coastline. It will also help develop inland waterways, he added.
“Getting permission for floating jetties is not a tedious process because it does not require environmental clearance. It is environmental friendly, easy to built, portable and also costs less…. Building a floating jetty also does not consume time unlike otherwise,” he added, while explaining that Goa can largely benefit through this project. Interestingly, the floating jetties can also be quickly installed and easily relocated/realigned. Moreover, there is no restriction on the flow of water movement as it sustained during the high tide and low tide as well.
With a major chunk of Goan population inclined towards seeking a job on ships, cruise liners; Mandaviya assured to build Coastal Victoria Institute that would impart training to the locals and offer certificates, which would increase their chances to avail job on international cruise liners. He also urged the Goan population not to fall prey to agencies giving fake certificates for jobs abroad.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who was also present along with AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and Minister for Ports Michael Lobo among others, urged the minister for a consultant to develop waterways, in a bid to increase tourism and employment opportunities. Referring to the four floating jetties, CM said, the Centre has opened doors for ‘blue economy’.
Lobo hailed the Union government’s project claiming it will connect all hinterlands and villages through inland waterways. “I am happy to announce this is our first project…. We can revive the Portuguese-era system of connectivity between villages and towns… because our roads are totally congested and even though a six-lane highway is being built, the vehicular traffic will keep increasing,” he stated.
Lobo also took the opportunity to request the Ministry of Shipping to expedite the process of approving 30 proposals sent by his department.
Earlier before the commencement of the event, media personnel had a verbal spat with the bouncers deployed by an off-shore casino firm, as the latter refused to allow journalists at the inaugural venue. The media fraternity was later allowed as it was a government function. A courteous Lobo apologized to journalists for the inconvenience, after the function.
