The nationalisation of Goan rivers is currently of the major issues just ahead of the assembly elections with the Opposition going all out against the government’s move.
Basically the issue arose after the Inland Waterways Act was enacted by the Centre, declaring 106 rivers as national waterways which included six Goan rivers (Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Cumbharjua, Mapusa and Sal).
The Opposition’s apprehensions are that it would take away the rights and control of these rivers from the Goa government and place them at the disposal of the Centre and MPT.
What is also being questioned is whether this would lead to our waterways becoming carriers of commercial transport after a massive dredging exercise which will make our rivers devoid of its traditional assets.
While the government has declared that the rights of rivers will continue to be with the State what has come in as a rude shock is the secret MoU signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and the Mormugao Port Trust on September 28 without taking the State into confidence.
The Press Information Bureau in a release said that the MoU will “assist IWAI in the development of National Waterways like Mandovi river (NW-68), Zuari river (NW-111), Chapora river (NW-25), Cumbharjua canal (NW-27), Mapusa river (NW-71), and Sal river (NW-88) in Goa”.
The release stated “The MoU between MPT and IWAI will jointly work to achieve fairway development of the 182-km stretch in Goa which includes dredging, river training works, bank protection, navigation aids, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), etc. MPT will also provide project management supervision services related to the infrastructure works in the NWs (rivers).
Investigations by Herald have revealed that while there is no evidence to prove the Centre will hold control over the rivers, there isn’t any proof to deny it either.
Sources in the State administration said that they are still confused why the State was not informed on the MoU between the IWAI, MPT and the DCI.
“The Central ministry has sent us another draft for a tripartite agreement between the IWAI, MPT and the State. However, we are shocked why we were not informed about the MoU with MPT and DCI,” said a source who did not want to be named.
Giving details of the draft, sources said, “they have made several clauses which we have fine-tuned and finalised as per our requirements, which we do not think IWAI would be happy with.”
Giving details of the changes made, sources stated the government will ask for bigger role for the Captain of Ports.
“For instance we will ask that all works should be jointly monitored by the CoP and the MPT besides the CoP will be the final authority in deciding whether the construction/dredging project is as per requirement,” sources reveal.
Also, the state will demand the 50 per cent share in monitoring/supervising fee payable to the MPT, which is 7 per cent of the project cost.
Asked to comment on fears whether the IWAI or MPT will have total control over rivers, sources reveal, “once the jetties are built the ownership will be with the IWAI for certain lease period which would be later transferred to the State,” sources said.
When contacted, Captain of Ports James Braganza refused to offer any comment saying “nothing has been finalised yet and hence I cannot comment.”
Asked when the MoU would be signed with IWAI and MPT, he replied, “well the draft is still getting ready. We have taken suggestions from stakeholders like GMOEA, barge owners association, fisher-folks so it has taken time and now we are trying to accommodate in the draft,” he stated.
However, he allayed fears that the centre would have total control over rivers and banks.
