Porvorim: As a part of the central government’s project of nationalisation of rivers, the Indian Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is undertaking various developmental works strictly planned and proposed by the state for dredging, navigation, berthing facilities in Goa. State Ports Minister Aleixo Sequeira told the House during ongoing Assembly session that various projects including jetties and communication systems are implemented under the Nationalisation of Rivers scheme.
Sequeira said that in the year 2013, the proposal was studied and State was the apprehensive that the Central Government might interfere in the State affairs and take all the powers under Central Ministry the proposal was initially not considered.
“However, Under Article 246 of Indian Constitution, Parliament has exclusive Legislative power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List 1 of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Under this article in list-I, later The National Waterways
Act, 2016 declared Six Rivers of Goa as National Waterways,” the minister said.
Responding to a question about various projects undertaken under this scheme, Sequeira said that IWAI is undertaking various developmental works strictly planned and proposed by the State for Dredging/ Navigation/ Berthing facilities with 100% funding from the Central Government.
He said that four number concrete Community Floating jetties have already been commissioned at the total cost of Rs. 9.6 Crs., and Ten more similar Community floating Jetties are sanctioned and Tendered to facilitate passenger transport, Tourism and other community needs.
The minister said that River information system based on Radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System), VHF (Very High Frequency), CCTV is being installed for surveillance in the Rivers and Coast of Goa is being approved by by IWAI and will be tendered shortly.
Under this scheme, the upgradation and enhancement of Navigational Aids in the rivers is approved and tendered.
