Digital Goa, April 13- Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Friday said he was unaware of the Rs 8 crore private jetty project at Malim on River Mandovi and learned about it only through the media. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had granted the first digital No Objection Certificate (NoC) for the project on April 9 to Marina India Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. A disgruntled Khaunte criticised the lack of consultation with local authorities, fishermen, and residents. “I am the local MLA and also a minister, yet I am not aware,” he said, adding, “Someone is playing behind the curtains.” He said he would speak to the Chief Minister and possibly write to the Centre, seeking clarification over the project and the manner in which it was being pushed. The project, aimed at promoting river cruise tourism, was cleared under new IWAI regulations enabling private jetties on national waterways.
▪️ Penha de Franca Panchayat says not taken into over the project
Meanwhile, pointing out that they were not taking into confidence about the project, Penha de Franca Panchayat has said they have strong opposition to the project. They said they will speak to Khaunte as well as write to Marina India Infrastructure Pvt Ltd and convey their opposition to the project.
