PANJIM: The Dona Paula jetty may be opened for visitors by December 1. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte along with Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate held a joint meeting with the tourism officials to review the works at the Dona Paula Jetty.
It may be recalled that the jetty has been under renovation for several years which has prevented visitors from enjoying the landmark tourist site. Khaunte reviewed the pending works and proposed alterations in the works of the jetty. Monserrate informed that they have fixed a deadline to put all the facilities at the jetty in place before December 1.
During the meeting, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) councilor Nelson Cabral, who is also one of the petitioners seeking remedy at Dona Paula, produced some documents regarding the jetty.
In a joint inspection of the jetty held by the Tourism Minister and the Panjim MLA a few days back, it was decided to change the kiosk structures to suit the owners to transact business. The work for the same will be completed soon, Monserrate informed.
Meanwhile, during the last hearing, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had agreed to Advocate General Devidas Pangam’s suggestion that the Superintendent of Police (Traffic) would meet the local residents and other interested stakeholders and resolve the issue of illegal parking of vehicles and traffic congestion at Dona Paula. The Court further stated that a report of any parking/traffic regulation plan discussed, prepared and shared with the Court during the next date of hearing fixed on November 18.
The Division Bench comprising Justice G S Kulkarni and Justice B P Deshpande also accepted the Advocate General’s clarification that the State government had not yet appointed the contractor and that the tender is proposed to be issued to undertake further works at Dona Paula.
The Court permitted one of the petitioners to implead Gomantak Land Development Private Limited and Fomento Resorts and Hotels Limited as added respondents while, the lawyer for another petitioner told the Court that his clients are willing to vacate the said structure and hand over the possession of the same to the State government on or before December 31, this year.
The Court will now hear both parties on these matters on November 18, as the State government is seeking additional land at Dona Paula to utilise it for public purpose.