Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai on Thursday sought improvements in ferry services, especially along routes in his constituency, stating that while these services are a lifeline for the people, they are lacking in many aspects.
“In my constituency, there are a total of 12 ferry points. The last time, I asked the minister for a third ferry on the Old Goa to Divar route, and he granted an idle ferry, for which I am grateful,” Faldessai said.
However, he noted that on other routes, where ferries have been handed over to private contractors, the services were irregular or delayed, causing inconvenience to the public.
“The current ferries have been given on contract. I personally visited St Estevam and Akhada. The ferries managed by contractors are not running properly. On one ferry, they brought a captain from a barge who didn’t know how to manoeuvre the ferry correctly,” he said.
He added that on several routes, ferry services were inadequate, pointing to the route between São Pedro and Divar, which is serviced by only one ferry. Similar issues exist on other routes in his constituency, including Cumbarjua.
Faldessai praised the minister for introducing Ro-Ro ferries along the Ribandar to Chorao route and said he eagerly awaited their introduction on other routes in his constituency.
“The minister has also promised a Ro-Ro ferry for the Old Goa route. If that commitment is fulfilled—as the ferries have already been ordered—I am confident the issue will be resolved,” he said.
He further urged the minister to reduce the fare for locals using the Ro-Ro ferries, stating that the current rate of ₹30 per vehicle for daily travel was too high. “It’s fine to charge that amount for tourists on joyrides, but for locals, it is too much,” he said.
The MLA also appealed to the minister—who also handles the social welfare portfolio—to increase the monthly allowance for persons with disabilities from the current ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 to ensure families do not face financial shortfalls.
“The money is not enough. Parents with children trying to make ends meet deserve at least that much support from the state,” Faldessai added.