Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Minister for Ports Micheal Lobo today has assured to share a detailed plan with traditional fishermen while going ahead with work on the second phase of dredging of 6kms of Sal River.
Captain of Ports and Fisheries department today conducted a joint meeting with fishermen on Sal river dredging issue in which it was decided to share a detailed Plan with traditional fishermen while going ahead with work of second phase dredging of 6 km.
Lobo speaking to the media after the meeting said the desilting should take place for smoothening the flow of the water. He said that the silt needs to be removed as it will help increase oxygen level under water.
“We will do the work as per the needs of the fisherman, we will provide all plan details and also the EIA to the fisherman community to help them study the cause and what will be beneficial for them,” Lobo said
Meanwhile, Fisheries Minister Filip Neri Rodrigues admitted that the government faulted on not taking fishermen into confidence before deciding the dredging.
“Our Govt is firm on dredging and desilting but joint inspection of 6 km stretch will be done by CoP officials with fishermen. Most of the part of the river comes in the Velim constituency,” said Rodrigues