A jetty at Khariawada not advisable for security reasons, MPT

On Tuesday, opposing the proposal of the state government to construct a fishing jetty at Khariawada instead of Katem Baina, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) filed an affidavit in the High Court of Bombay at Goa. Mr.Hemangi Arsekar, the Law Officer of MPT, filed the affidavit which contains the reasons justifying the opposition. The primary reason was to totally shift away the fishing operations from Vasco Bay. A fishing jetty very adjacent to a major port with international shipping operations is quite likely to prove a security threat. Moreover, it is also said that smuggling activities are carried out through the existing Khariawada jetty and many Masters of the vessels seem to have complained about trawlers sailing very close to the vessels.  The affidavit mentions also about the Environment impact assessment studies which state that Katem Baina is technically safe to have a fishing jetty. Neither will there be the erosion of the beach because of this construction of the jetty nor will the social lives of the local fishermen be affected. The construction of a permanent fishing jetty at Khariawada will prove a threat to security.

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