Villagers demand shifting of ‘Camurlim floating jetty’

Mapusa: Under the banner of Chapora Bachao Andolana Samiti (CBAS), the villagers from different villages along Chapora river have come together to object to a floating jetty at Camurlim.

The villagers from Siolim, Oxel, Tuem, Chopdem-Agarwada, Parsem and Anjuna, on Sunday, came together to oppose the floating jetty in the River Chapora at Camurlim.

They opined that the jetty should be moved out because it would have an adverse effect on the local fishing community and the villagers.

The meeting was attended by Dayanand Mandrekar of Chapora Andolan Bachao Samiti, Camurlim sarpanch Vishant Gaonkar, deputy sarpanch Abhay Pednekar, panchayat member Sharad Gad and others.

Chopdem-Agarwada sarpanch Pramodini Agarwadekar, deputy sarpanch Samita Raut, Nitin Chopdekar, Oxel deputy sarpanch Mangesh Chodankar, Anjuna sarpanch Savio Almeida, Sandesh Khorjuvekar, Balbhim Malvankar, Amrut Agarwadekar, ZP members Satish Shetgaonkar and Mangesh Chodankar were also present.

Addressing the gathering, sarpanch of Camurlim Vishant Gaonkar said that the panchayat body had resolved to oppose floating jetty in the village.

“I had submitted a copy of the resolution to the Captain of Ports (COP), who said that panchayat permission is not required as the temple committee has given one. Two days back we received a letter from COP that the jetty will be shifted to Mandovi River, however, we had asked them to give an exact date” said Gaonkar.  

Panchayat member Sharad Gad said that “local had allowed floating jetty in the village while panchayat was not taken into confidence. How can an individual give consent when the panchayat has the authority to give NOC in the village?”

Former ZP member Deepak Kalangutkar said that “despite the demand for the jetty by the fishing community, still the government has not done anything, and now, without consent a floating jetty is brought and kept in the village.”

Balbhim Malvankar said that “fishermen are asking for the repair of the existing jetty at Caisua but the government is not taking any initiative. Even dredging is not done in the river, and as a result boat owners are facing hardships.”

It may be recalled that a floating jetty was moved near Siolim bridge, following which villagers opposed it and the jetty was shifted to Chopdem. However, following the objections it was shifted to Camurlim.

Even Camurlim villagers objected and were assured that it would be shifted in month’s time, however, still the jetty has  not been shifted.

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