IN TERROR SHADOW?
Port faces security threat, MPT tells govt
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Citing a security threat, Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has written to the state government asking that the Khariwada fishing jetty situated alongside the port be moved out of Vasco bay.
Sources in the state government said MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal has written to the chief minister explaining why the fishing jetty needs to be moved out. “MPT continues to operate in an insecure regime which is likely to lead to disastrous consequences... It has become unacceptable to the central government to continue port operations with the looming security threat of the fishing jetty at arm’s length to the operational berths of MPT,” the government sources said.
When contacted, Agarwal refused to comment on the issue.
The recent terrorist attacks at Mumbai have brought to the fore the immediate necessity of shifting the Khariwada fishing jetty out of Vasco Bay or stopping its operations altogether, the sources quoted Agarwal as saying.
The letter, sent on December 6, also warned of an impact on the trade and commerce of Goa.
Referring to a secret report of
the Central Industrial Security Force dated December 4/5, in which there is information about the unauthorized entry of a fishing vessel into the port’s operational area on December 4, Agarwal said, “That an attempt to test the security of Khariwada jetty could be made soon after the Mumbai attacks shows the brazen approach of the enemies of the nation. It is obvious that attempts are being made by destructive forces to find vulnerable entry points in Goa from the sea side.”
Khariwada jetty is in close proximity to MPT’s berths 11 and 10. ENSURING SAFETY MEASURES
Jetty provides free access to port: MPT
Panaji: Reasoning that there is no way in which control can be exercised over the activities at Khariwada jetty towards ensuring the safety of Mormugao port and quoting various reports, MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal has written to the chief minister saying that “it is, therefore, extremely desirable that as requested by the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways, New Delhi; as mandated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) repeatedly; as recommended by the home ministry and other agencies from time to time; as directed by the high powered committee on implementing security measures; as directed by the director general, shipping, who are the auditors for ISPS (International Ships facility and Port Security Code) compliance for major ports; as directed by the various other committees and conferences from time to time; and as demanded by masters of merchant ships calling at MPT, the Khariwada jetty has to be shifted out of Vasco Bay”.
Sources in the state government said Agarwal sought the state’s cooperation in identifying an alternative site outside Vasco Bay, so that MPT can start the work of developing a new world class fishing jetty.
“It is also a well-known fact that the Khariwada area has a large number of migrants and people with dubious identities, and others who keep moving from place to place, and who have no proper identification. All these have free access to the Mormugao port through the K h a r i w a d a fishing jetty which abuts berth number 11,” the letter said. The letter added that MPT is facing a threat to the port’s compliance with the ISPS code with the continuance of the Khariwada fishing jetty.
“Failure of MPT to comply with the ISPS Code will ultimately bring shipping activities to a grinding halt in the Mormugao harbour, which again will have a serious detrimental impact on the trade and commerce of Goa,” the letter added.

December 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition