------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: goad...@bsnl.in ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ Call to declare Goa's Waterways as National Waterways: Easy Transport of Ore ---------------------------------------------------------- by Michael Fisher
A delegation from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is expected to visit Goa shortly to allay fears, if any, and to revive a funding scheme utilised for the improvement of Goa's inland waterways, said an official of the Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA). Unfortunately Goa inland waterways authority has not utilised the scheme which has expired in March 2008. GBOA secretary Mr William D'Costa said, the expenditure on the improvement of Goa inland waterways involves the central government spending 90 per cent of the cost and the balance 10 per cent by the state government. Barges plying the rivers contribute approximately Rs 10 crore yearly to the Goa government by way of various taxes like barge tax, goods tax, wharfage, riverine land dues, annual licence fees, and others. The local government has not spent much on developing the waterways, in spite of repeated pleas to the local government. The GBOA had earlier addressed a letter to the Chief Minister, requesting him to recommend declaration of Goa Inland Waters as 'National Waterways, following a meeting with GBOA, GMOEA, Captain of Ports and Secretary Ports, Dr M Moddasir. During the meeting, apprehensions were raised on the issues of jurisdiction of the waterways and loss of revenue to Goa government, said Mr D'Costa. However, Inland Waterways Authority of India chairman, Mr S P Gaur has agreed to depute senior officials of IWAI to meet Goa government representatives to clarify the issues of jurisdiction, loss of revenue and to clear other doubts propping up, Mr D'Costa said. This assurance from the IWAI chairman is due to a recent meeting between the Deputy Captain of Ports, Captain James Braganza, Mr William D'Costa of GBOA and the chairman of IWAI, Mr S P Gaur in Noida. He said the rational use of the waterways will be a boon to optimise resources and ensure environmental safety conditions for the barges and its workers. The smooth flow of transportation of ore will speed up operations and increase throughput volume. Mr D’Costa said if Goa's inland waterways are declared as a National Waterways, funds for capital expenditure like dredging, setting up of jetties, terminals and navigational aides would be recovered from the central government through IWAI. In the past Goa has not been able to secure funds under the centrally sponsored schemes. Local government has done very little dredging. Today barges have a maximum draft of 3.3 metres. Places on the Mandovi River to be dredged are: Aguada Sand Bar near Miramar at the mouth of the Mandovi River; San Pedro near old Goa between Sarmanus and Amona; Kottombi - Pale stretch. On the Zuari area: Sant Jacinto Island near Chicalim (MPT Jurisdiction); Madkai; Xelvona - Sanvordem stretch. The only dredging that is done is by the churning of the propellers of the barges during their movement, Mr D'Costa remarks sarcastically. ---------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 26/02/09 page 13 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ----------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ----------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: goa...@bsnl.in ----------------------------------------------------------