AGENCIES|PANAJI

The Goa government is in the process of constructing a vessel which will tackle pollution in inland waterways due to oil spillage, the assembly was informed today.

Port Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar said the ship is being constructed by his department and it will be deployed to tackle instances of oil spillage in inland waterways.

Salgaonkar was replying to various questions raised by MLAs on demands for grants for the port department.

The minister said the vessel will tackle oil spills in rivers. It would be equipped with a separate tank to store the oil taken out from rivers and various equipment required for pollution tackling exercise.

Pollution of rivers due to oil spillage by vessels travelling through them has been a matter of concern for the state government.

Salgaoncar said the coastal state has 555km long inland waterway of which 255km is in the Mandovi and Zuari rivers.

The minister also added that another ship is being purchased to tow vessels stranded in inland waters.