Traditional inland water transport in Goa set for a boost

PANAJI: Goa government is all set to revive its Portuguese-era jetties in Mandovi and Zuari rivers which will help in boosting the inland waterways, state River Navigation Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar has said.

In a written reply, Dhavalikar told the state Assembly yesterday that the department has decided to improve or renovate the existing old jetties and construct new ones.

The funding, of nearly Rs 95 crore, will be under the Central government's ambitious Sagarmala project, he said.

The minister said the state government has already submitted a detailed project report for reconstruction of eight jetties to the Union Ministry of Shipping.

Goa has a unique service, popularly known as 'ferry boat' which transports people and vehicles from one bank of the river to another where there are no bridges.

Dhavalikar said under the Sagarmala project, the jetties will be set up at places like Ribandar, Old Goa, Banastarim, Borim, Shiroda, Durbhat, Aldona and Piligaon so that fast launch (boat) services can be introduced using inland water transport.

"Once the jetties are reconstructed, the matter of inland water transport through rivers and rivulets will be taken up on priority for public transport," he added.