Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa government has clarified that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has no plans to dredge the state’s rivers under the central Sagarmala scheme.
Replying to an unstarred question (LAQ No. 127) tabled by MLA Viresh Borkar, Minister for Ports Aleixo Sequeira stated that no Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared by IWAI for dredging any river stretches in Goa under the Sagarmala project.
Further, the Captain of Ports Department has not received or processed any approvals or applications regarding such dredging activities. The minister also confirmed that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or scientific study has been submitted or undertaken in this regard.
While the department acknowledged awareness of potential environmental risks such as threats to biodiversity, fish habitats, mangroves, and turtle nesting sites, the minister stated that no objections or representations had been received from local communities, political parties, or environmental groups.
The response puts to rest speculation surrounding large-scale river dredging initiatives linked to central infrastructure schemes, at least for the time being.
