The foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of a training wall and fishing jetty at Chapora, Bardez was held yesterday at the hands of Shri. Avertano Furtado, Minister for Labour and Employment, Fisheries and NRI Affairs in the distinguished presence of Shri. Dayanand R. Mandrekar, Minister for Water Resources and Art & Culture, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chairman, GSIDC and MLA, Sankhali Constituency, Shri. Sidharth Kuncalienker, Vice Chairman, GSIDC and MLA, Panaji Constituency, Shri Vasudev Korgaonkar, Zilla Panchayat Member, Anjuna, Smt. Pratima Govekar, Sarpanch Anjuna-Caisua and Shri. Savio Almeida, Dy. Sarpanch Anjuna-Caisua.
The fishing industry is of vital importance in the state of Goa, where in fish constitutes the staple diet for a large part of the population in the state and a large segment of the state population depends upon fishing for their livelihood.
As per records of Directorate of Fisheries, Govt of Goa there are approximately 48 fishing craft and 7 traditional fishing craft which are operating at Chapora jetty. Fishing Crafts require shore based infrastructure facilities for proper handling of their catches; gear shed and place for repairing their fishing nets and other equipment.
The Government of Goa proposed for the development and extension up gradation of fishing jetty with a view to provide basic infrastructure to facilitate organized fishing at the Chapora jetty. This will help to upgrade the existing environment condition of the areas and will also improve the quality of life of the local population particularly the fishing community.
The waterside facilities are planned in such a way that the vessels will be able to land, idle –berth and get repaired in a smooth and unhindered manner. The proposed Training Wall ensures the safe maneuverability of fishing vessel to the Chapora Jetty.
The foundation stone laying ceremonial event took place at Chapora, Bardez yesterday. The project is expected to be completed in 20 months.