The anatomy of MVST Pedro (Solar Ferry Boat PNJ-880) of Goa : The 1st Solar Ferry Boat of State
The prudence of RND of Goa State : Buy a Boat first, Then look for man-power, Keep it idle for 5 months, then give it on hire as a floating restaurant.
Modern Goa is a land of business.Every politician in Goa is directly or indirectly engaged in business.
In business, before you make a fresh investment in an asset, it is rudimentary and elementary that the business owner does a techno-commercial feasibility of the proposed business.You develop a thorough plan to ensure the profitability and sustainability of the business.
But, when it comes to investing the Citizen of Goa's money, these same very prudent politicians, keep aside all the common-sense away. Why?
The Solar Ferry PNJ-880 was inaugurated with great fanfare early October (Completed 5 months now) by Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant, scheduled to run between Chorao and Panjim.
Four years after a visit to Kerala to study the operation of Solar powered Ferries, the inspiration, finally morphed into motivation and PNJ-880 was purchased for Rs.4 Crores.
The eventual plan according to CM Sawant was to replace all the existing diesel powered ferries (which costs approximately Rs.65 Lac to build) with Solar ferries.
No doubt a grand plan, but lo and behold, PNJ-880 is still moored at Mandovi and gathering dust, because of the lack of man-power.
The plan to move to Solar power, green transportation; without putting into place, the fundamental requirement of operational crew?
Any mentally sound person would laugh at it.
But, this is not the end, after facing flak over the depreciating asset, lying idle, the River Navigation Department (RND) now plans to give away the 880 on hire, as it has finally come to the conclusion that, it cannot get the requisite qualified man-power; and has now decided to put 880 on hire.
"For manpower and training of staff we had sought help from the company who manufactured the boat. But there is no positive response from them. I have moved a file proposing to the government to float a tender and give it on hire. We are also exploring options if it can be used for tourism related activities and generate revenue.” River Navigation Department Minister Subhash Phal Dessai says.This feat of buying the ferry boat, from the company, before ensuring a water tight contract regarding the training of man-power and maintenance; can be achieved by State Government of Goa only. Defies all logic.
Now, that Ferry Boat can't run, it would be put out as a floating restaurant of some sort.
So, next time, you want to start a floating restaurant business at Mandovi (Mhadei), all you need to convince the RND of Goa Government to buy a boat first. Eventually, the government would give it out on rent. All you have to do is to operate it.
For politicians and ministers of Goa, fiscal prudence, logic and common-sense is limited to their own run business. When it comes to show the same amount of aglity towards the money of Citizens of Goa, it is omitted.
But, is it really an act of omission or commission? Citizens of Goa are wise enough to understand it though.
Update : The matter would be put forward for investigation.
https://twitter.com/InGoa24x7/status/1640360525166157825?s=20