Fishermens' 'No' to MPT onslaught on livelihoods

11.10.2010.

To:

The Chief Minister,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim,

Bardez, Goa.

Sir,

This is to bring to your notice the bleak future that awaits traditional fishermen from Baina beach if the clandestine designs of the Mormugao Port Trust sugar coated with a cloak of philanthropy in the garb of constructing a fishing jetty for trawler owners at Baina beach is allowed.

In the first place, we firmly that it is the prerogative of the Government of Goa to decide and plan the infrastructure required in the state as it is best equipped to decide in the best interest of the people. Ironically, MPT appears to have usurped this sacred duty of your Government and gone ahead to sign a MOU with the boat owners without even consulting the Government, leave alone consulting the traditional fishermen who are also stakeholders.

Sir, currently there are around 1,200 fishermen community members besides the labour living off Baina beach from where they not only carry out their fishing activity but also live there as there are 90 residential houses along the beach. The MPT proposes to construct the fishing jetty at the Southern end of the Baina beach, which means all the fishermen living along Baina beach will be displaced.

Besides, if the fishing jetty is permitted here, the fishermen will not be able to carry out their usual activity as the trawler owners will not allow them to fish in the area. As it is right now the trawler owners harass the traditional fishermen in various means like not allowing them to anchor near their jetty and even compelling wholesale fish buyers not to purchase the traditional fishermen’s catch.

Sir, this would mean that the poor and marginalized traditional fishing community will be deprived of not only their residential houses but also their means of livelihood, which is quite contrary to your avowed mission of working for the aam admi and therefore, you have to intervene and put the MPT in its place and assert your Government’s prerogative to govern the people of Goa.

We also would like to bring to your notice that the MPT is proposing the fishing jetty – which incidentally is a huge project involving construction of a breakwater – that will definitely have an impact on the hydrology of the area and the ecology. It is indeed ironical that MPT is gloating about this project without even carrying out an Environment Impact Assessment study, which is mandated for such projects.

As you are aware, the beaches in the Southern taluka of Canacona are facing severe problems of erosion suspected to be caused by the development of the Sea Bird project at Karwar. If MPT is permitted to construct the fishing jetty as per the plans prepared by them, the beaches in Goa will be severely impacted which in turn would affect the flourishing tourism industry that has come to be the mainstay of Goa’s economy as the tourists visit our state only for its beaches, and if there are no beaches left, there will be no tourists coming.

In addition, the Baina beach attracts a lot of people because of its natural beauty and particularly during the summer season when various cultural activities are conducted on the Beach. The Government too uses the Baina beach during the International Film Festival of India, which has come to stay in Goa permanently.

We would also like to bring to your notice plans to displace fishermen from the Bimbeli beach which is a private property. Fishermen are given access to this beach primarily because it is a private property.

It has come to our notice that the Navy is proposing to acquire this beach to station a new squadron which would result in the fishermen being displaced from this beach too. Although the Navy says that it will issue passes to the fishermen and permit them access, in reality this will not happen going by the Maharashtra experience.

Sir, in Maharashtra, initially a radius of 500 mts. around installations was banned for fishermen. However, the same has now been increased to five nautical miles which translates roughly to around eight kilometers. If the same yardstick is applied in Goa, the fishermen will not be allowed to carry out their trade anywhere around that area as MPT seeks to push them to Bimbeli from where the Navy is planning to evict them.

A question that comes to mind is why should the Navy want to set up another squadron in Goa when it has such a huge base at neighbouring Karwar which is not really very far off. Besides, Goa has given more than sufficient land to the Navy and other armed forces of the country including the island of Anjediv for free.

Sir, we earnestly appeal to you to protect the interest of the traditional fishermen who are the aam admi that you keep talking about. Besides, you have every reason to stall MPT’s nefarious plans as it has refused to co-operate with you.

Therefore, we request you to take immediate steps to ensure that the houses and means of livelihood of the traditional fishermen are protected failing which we shall be forced to come on the streets to protect the interest of Goa and Goans.

Yours sincerely,

Sd /- Sd/- Sd/-

Agnelo Rodrigues Matanhy Saldanha Mohammed SS. Yakub

(President) (General Secretary) (President, Baina RFCOS)

C.c to :- Mr. Milind S. Naik, MLA, Mormugao Constituency.

:- Mr. Jose Philip D’Souza, MLA, Vasco Constituency.

NOTE :- A delegation of five representatives of fishermen from Kantem Baina and other parts of Goa and presented the letter to the C M. on 11^th Oct. 2010. The matter is as above. Thanks.

Double lining of South Western Railway: for whose benefit?

To:

The Hon’ble Chief Minister,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim,

Bardez, Salcete, Goa.

Sir,

With reference to the reports appearing in the media regarding the Railway Board approving double lining of the South Western Railway from Vasco to Hospet, permit me to point out a few really important matters to you:

1. In the first place, this is an initiative taken by the Mormugao Port Trust which has been consistently bypassing the Government of Goa and in fact behaving like a state within a state. Besides, it is a matter of jurisdiction. Who plans and decides the development of Goa? The duly elected government of Goa or an organization that is carrying out a particular activity in the State? Has the Planning & Development Board of Goa recommended the doubling of the SWR? If not, what authority has the MPT to do so?

2. The doubling of the line will cause not only hardships to the people but also for your government. A large number of houses will be adversely affected if the SWR line in Goa is doubled and large tracts of scarce Goan land will once again be in the hands of Central Agency that truly does not give any tangible benefits to Goans in terms of recruitment.

3. There are a good number of heritage houses close to the railway track which will be badly affected if the SWR line is doubled as the vibrations caused by the rail movement will shake their foundations.

4. The increased traffic on the line will also cause noise pollution not to mention dust pollution.

5. After the SWR line in Goa was converted to broad gauge, people began facing a lot of problems as traffic increased and it became more and more difficult to cross the tracks. Long queues at the manned railway crossings are a common feature along the Goans landscape now. Therefore, the Government of Goa should insist that every railway crossing in Goa should have either a rail under bridge or a rail over bridge so that people are not put to hardships and until and unless this is provided for, no Goan land should be handed over to the Railways.

6. Besides, the Railways should also be asked to provide for over or under bridges as and where required in keeping with the needs of the State for the next 35 years as the Golden Jubilee Development Committee is preparing this road map for Goa.

7. Going by the tenor of the discussions in the recent in the State Assembly, it is evident that the Government of Goa is not quite happy with the manner in which MPT is behaving. Hence, before it becomes more authoritarian it would be better for the State Government to put the brakes on MPT’s ambitious expansion plans which are aimed at packing this Goa with more and more people from outside the State rather than helping our own Goans or Goa.

Therefore, I request to immediately write to the Union Railway Minister and the Railways Board bringing to their notice our apprehensions and also listing out these demands in the interest of Goa.

Requesting you to treat this matter as urgent and serious,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Matanhy Saldanha

(Former Tourism Minister)

Protecting and preserving our land from being handed over to private corporate houses

To:

The Hon’ble Chief Minister,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa.

Sir,

This is to request you to kindly take immediate steps to prevent large tracts of land from being transferred to private corporations in future whereby neither the Government nor the people of Goa will benefit in any way while some individuals will end up having the last laugh.

Sir, in the name of national interest and with the best intentions of the State at heart and mind, the Government of Goa, had handed over land to Central Government agencies like the ONGC and the Mormugao Port Trust took over land that was occupied by the erstwhile Portuguese regime.

In the case of MPT, instead of working in consonance with the State Government in the best interest of Goans, it has been functioning as a State within a State with scant regards to the laws and rules of this State. While the MPT does not even take the mandatory permissions and licenses from the State authorities for their constructions, it has the audacity to object to acquisition of land at Velsao for traditional fishermen on grounds that it comes within their jurisdiction.

You are seized of this matter as it has been debated ad nausem even in the August Legislative Assembly. However, what is of greater significance is the fact that the MPT is on the way to be corporatised as has been done with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port and if this happens, then the large tracts of land in MPT’s possession will pass on to a private corporation thereby denying Goans and the State Government any control over it. Hence the State Government has to act immediately to ensure that MPT retains only as much land as is required for its operations.

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation also has large land in its possession which was apparently given on lease to it by the State Government. Sir, under the disinvestment policy of the Government of India, ONGC is slowly being turned into a private entity. In such a situation, the large tracts of land that were given to the Government of India undertaking, will end up being in the possession of private corporation which once again is not in the interest of Goa and Goans.

The Navy too continues to be on an acquisition spree with the State Government giving in to their demand in name of national interest. However, when the Navy keeps poking spokes in any activity aimed at the State’s benefit like the expansion of the Dabolim airport which was a civilian airport initially, it is time for the Government to begin bargaining with the Navy too in the interest of its citizens.

The adamant attitude of the Navy is visible to the naked eye at Dabolim where the divider along the four lane highway has been reduced significantly as the Naval authorities would not permit the demolition of a compound wall of a grocery store.

The Navy apparently has now cast its eyes upon the two islands of Mormugao and more land at Bimbta beach. The State Government would do well not to bow down to this demand of the Navy as these islands can well be developed as the base for the off shore casinos which bring in revenue to the State coffers. Besides, the Government of Goa has already given the Anjediv Island free to the Navy.

Sir, we are a small State and given our size and the rate at which our population is increasing, we cannot afford to take up a philanthropic attitude in dishing out land to anybody and everybody who seeks it. Therefore, I earnestly request you go through any request for more land with a fine tooth and at the same time, review the earlier decisions to ensure that only the quantum of required land is given to these Central Government agencies.

Permit me to cite the example of Zuari Industries. In the name of industrialization, they were given large tracts of land. In fact, they have so much excess land that they have now set up a college campus by using the same land that was given to them at a pittance. If the same land was to be provided now, the State would have earned some revenue. Worst is the fact that no seats are reserved for Goan students at this college. So the question that comes up is what benefit do Goa and Goans get from such ventures?

Hence, Sir, I request you not to repeat the mistakes made by us earlier and instead be not only judicious but even miserly, while giving our land to any agency.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Matanhy Saldanha

(Former Minister for Tourism)

Vasco-Dona Paula sea-link feasibility study begins : a whopping Rs. 8 crores!

Of course the Vasco-Dona Paula sea-link feasibility study begins –
here we go with yet another mega con-scheme on the part of the Goan
Government in the making!

Look at the cost of doing this techno-feasibility study paid to the
consultant – a whopping Rs. 8 crores! The Goa Government will then
take the decision to go ahead with this mega-monstrosity of this
sea-link project Rs. which is supposed to be a 1000–plus crore
project! Now have the people of Goa been consulted on what they want?
Well who cares for the wishes of the common man and woman in Goa
nowadays? No wonder these pariah dogs, hyenas, vultures and parasites
and their cronies are smacking their lips in anticipation of the great
feast that lies ahead at the cost of the common man in Goa.

What about the effects on the marine and sealife that will be affected
by this project? Well if the Goan Government doesn't care for the
common man in Goa where would they be bothered with marine and sealife
or the Environment for that matter?

Leave alone giving the common man and our Goan villages the basic
infrastructure and basic amenities like health facilities, education,
sanitation, garbage disposal, drinking water, electricity and proper
transportation and roads – these basic necessities are unheard of for
the Goan Government. All the Goan Government cares is for hoisting
schemes like this sea-link scheme, casinos, mining and real estate
projects with scope for even greater kickbacks!

While the MPT Chairman Agarwal is all set to make Goa the rest and
recreation grounds for the libido of the US armed forces, there our
Goa Government is all set to have this sea-link in place to cater to
their hidden agendas in their grand scheme of affairs!

Talk about sustainable development and providing the basic
infrastructure for the common man in Goa. This is a concept alien and
foreign to our Goa Government.

Do they even care for the common man?

Roger D'Souza

Please read the latest update from the Herald.

**********************************************************************
Vasco-Dona Paula sea-link feasibility study begins

HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 29

Louis Berger, the German company that recently bagged the contract for
undertaking techno-feasibility study for the proposed sea-link project
between Vasco and Dona Paula, has started its work.

“The consultant has begun work and an office has been set up somewhere
in Dona Paula,” said Director of Public Private Participation (PPP)
Cell Anupam Kishore.

He told Herald that as per the terms and conditions of the contract,
altogether 18 months is the period within which the consultant will
have to complete its work.
He said the work would be taken up in three phases. In the first
phase, the company will work on the techno-feasibility study.

Only if the Rs 1000-plus crore project is feasible, then the
consultant will move to the next phase, Kishore said. Otherwise, it
would be abandoned.
The consultant which was appointed earlier this month, has been asked
to conduct techno-environmental financial study, concept design,
technical feasibility with alignment, investigation and financial and
economic feasibility. Later, it will also have to undertake
environmental impact assessment, environmental clearances and social
impact assessments. The consultant will be required to prepare the bid
documents for appointment of BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer)
operator and concession agreement, etc.
Kishore who also doubles up as Joint Secretary (Debt Management) said
the consultant would also identify the point on the Panjim side where
the project would link.

Though initially, the government had said that the sea-link would be
between Dona Paula and Vasco, discussions held since then, seem to
have taken one line – that it should be in Bambolim so that it links
the national highway (NH17). Nonetheless, the consultant is expected
to give in detail, its analysis on the feasibility.

The techno-feasibility study will have to be completed in six months
and based on that report the government would take the final call.

The consultant’s fee is around Rs 8 crore. Kishore however said that
if the report says the project is not feasible then the company would
be paid only for the first phase. It may be recalled that there was a
good response from global consultants for the project. Firms from
Singapore, Hong Kong, and even Europe had sent in their bids which
ultimately the German company bagged.
This is the first major project conceived by the State government on PPP basis.
On whether the government has approached National Institute of
Oceanography (NIO) before going ahead with the proposal for sea-link,
PPP director said it would be the job of the company to consult NIO.

The estimated cost of the project will be more than Rs 1,000 crore. An
official said that 40 per cent of the total cost will be made
available by the Centre in the form of viability gap funding.

He said 20 per cent of the cost will be borne by the State government
while the remaining 40 per cent will be made available from private
sector investors. The consultant would also throw more light on how to
go about on the financial feasibility.

Please dismantle MPT's rest and recreation plans for Goa

Dear Praveen Agarwal,

Thank you for your letter and sharing your letter with Costa in Italy.
At the outset I wish to place on record my deep appreciation that you
responded and shared MPT plans with me. A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU!

I did read through the document as well as your letter and found it
extremely absurd that so many stakeholders including gamblers have
been taken care of but not the people of Goa even though the projects
planned are going to change Goa in major way. The plans outlined gives
me an impression that MPT is on an voyage to convert Goa into Free
Port. How come to forgot to mention that in order to implement the
proposals set out you need to hold referendum in order to know the
opinion of people of Goa?

Personally I am against any kind of structural modification at MPT
that would facilitate the docking of Foreign or domestic vessels for
the purpose of 'rest and recreation'. In my personal opinion this is
not healthy for people of Goa that we become servants of global war
industry, providing below the belt services. Instead we must work
towards dismantling of war industry itself so that no need ever arises
for any kind of 'rest and recreation', in military terminology.

I advise you to rethink on this and embark upon re-shaping of the
plans of MPT that would include exclusion of developing any kind of
docking/berthing facility for ships visiting for 'rest and recreation'
purpose.

I must tell you that this is urgent matter concerning entire
population of Goa and kindly treat this on priority. I expect that you
begin to re-think your plans for MPT so that Goa does not become
strategic 'rest and recreation' destination. It would be truly
unfortunate if do not consider approach as that will led to major
crisis in Goa as people will be left with no option other than - what
I said in my earlier letter - catch the bull by its horns.

So I await for your letter that will declare that the MPT has dropped
its plans to transform Goa as 'rest and recreation' destination for
the global warships in search of 'small brown fucking machines' by
coming Monday 19 April 2010. Your letter like this will do great
service to Goa and surely People of Goa will respect and treat you
with dignity.

Ever warmly,
Seby

Rest and recreation?

Recently, the Mormugao port authorities have been quoted
outlining plans for developing Goa as a centre for rest and
recreation (R&R) for soldiers. Assuming the port authorites
were understood right, and not misquoted, then they had better
be clear about what their plans are, and take the State into confidence
before pushing for anything, the consequences of which
may go well beyond the port and its earnings.
Experiences of Far East Asian countries with R&R bases are
only too well known, for a region like Goa to plunge headlong
into the same without careful consideration. Military R&R bases
have become another name for centres of prostitution.
This has been true in Okinawa Japan, South Korea, and the
Philippines. Not just that, the R&R centres have affected government
policies, and worsened political repression and economic
inequalities. Police corruption, debt bondage and worsening of
gender equations are part of the picture.
"Where there are soldiers, there are women who exist for
them," is a know saying. Contrary to common assumptions in
the West, prostitution is not "part of Asian culture", as has been
pointed out. Yet, demand creates its own supply. Books like 'Let
the Good Times Roll: Prostitution and the U.S. Military in Asia'
have carefully documented this issue.
With West Asia -- from Afghanistan to Iraq -- getting caught up
badly in military conflict, Goa is strategically located and probably
suits the interests of the globe's only superpower. Tiny Goa,
which has been kicked around like a football only too often in
colonial times, needs to think carefully and closely about what it
wants to get into.


Editorial in Herald, 13 April 2010, Panaji

Praveen Agarwal confirms MPT proposal for Goa as 'rest and recreation'

Marmagoa Port Trust (MPT) Chairman in a letter e-mailed to me today has confirmed MPT proposal to organise facilities for 'rest and recreation' facilities at the Port in Vasco, Goa. He has also sent attachments of plant for MPT worked in collaboration with Italian company M/s. Costa Crociere.


The documents are reproduced below for public information:

Dear Mr. Rodrigues,

At the outset let me thank you for the keen interest shown by you in the projects of MPT. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping us to decide the correct course of action.

May I point out that mention of using the facilities at MPT for hosting vessels of foreign navies, visiting ports in India for Rest and Recreation, is just a small part of the services proposed to be offered at MPT for promotion of cruise shipping.

You may like to peruse our recent letter to Mr. Gianni Onorato of Costa Cruises, Italy. This will perhaps clarify your doubts and clear the apprehensions, if any.

Looking forward for your continued interest and cooperation in implementing MPT projects.

Yours Sincerely,

(Praveen Agarwal)

Chairman,

Mormugao Port Trust

CPT(59)/2010/ 12.4.2010

Dear Mr. Gianni Onorato,

Sub: Promotion of Cruise Shipping at

Mormugao Port, Goa

Ref: Possibilities of M/s Costa Home Porting a

Cruise Ship

In continuation of my email of 9.4.2010, I would like to inform that the issues raised by you have received our due consideration. We at MPT are of the view that there is a distinct possibility of ‘Mormugao Port Trust’ and ‘Costa’ working out an arrangement for home porting of a cruise vessel in Mormugao-Harbour, Goa.

2. To begin with, I must inform that we have already started construction of two non-cargo berths in our Breakwater area. The first is a Finger Jetty kind of structure, on the Mole of the Breakwater. This finger jetty will be 270 mtrs. long and 22 mtrs. wide. Water depths at the Jetty are planned to be (-) 10 mtrs. below CD to begin with, and can be increased to (-) 12.5, if required. This berth will be capable of berthing ships throughout the year, on both the northern and southern sides of the quay, though the northern side may not be a very stable position during 3 months of the monsoon from June to August, every year. The southern side of the Berth will be absolutely safe throughout the year, though there may be some restrictions in berthing and un-berthing, due to constraints of space.

3. Another berth is being constructed on and along the existing Breakwater itself. This berth, on the leeward side of the Breakwater, i.e. in the mooring basin itself, will be 400 mtrs. long and 28 mtrs. wide. The water depth is planned to be (-) 10 mtrs., but can as well be (-) 12.5 mtrs. for at least 300 mtrs. of this berth on the northern side. A passage of 8 mtrs. width on the western side of this berth will be used as a road for serving the berth on the Mole described above. Once again, due to constraints of space, the berthing and unberthing operations may be a little slow, but they are surely possible. This berth will be absolutely safe and protected throughout the year. Approximately, 100 – 120 mtrs. on the southern part of this 400 mtrs. long berth, will be made available to the Indian Coast Guard for home porting their service vessels on a dedicated basis.

4. The entire Breakwater area of Mormugao Harbour at Goa will be serviced by the 4-Lane National Highway, which will connect to the road network of the State of Goa and the rest of the country. The non-cargo / Cruise ship facility described above will be hardly 12-15 minutes drive from the civilian / naval airport, which is used by the international and domestic flights, including charter flights. The entire Breakwater area is at the entrance of Mormugao Harbour and right next to the Navigation Channel of the Port having water depths of (-) 14.1 mtrs. below CD, throughout the year. The Breakwater area is far away from the iron ore and coal stacks. There may be some issues concerning noise, as a ship repair unit is located in the same area.

5. The above facility, i.e. construction of the berths, completion of the 4-Lane road connectivity, etc. , will be fully functional by March 2012.

6. To begin with, the Mormugao Port has embarked upon the creation of the above facility for receiving and serving international cruise ships, as well as possibly home porting of at least one cruise ship. The breakwater area could also be suitable for positioning a floating hotel in protected waters.

7. Incidentally, Mormugao Port also has 3 Mooring Dolphins located right next to the Navigational Channel, in a completely sheltered water area. These provide 2 safe ship positions for cargo operations. The Mooring Dolphins can also be used for berthing merchant and cruise ships / naval ships safely throughout the year. The distance between 2 Mooring Dolphins is 330 mtrs., and water depths are (-) 14.1 mtrs. below CD. The port is adding 3 more Moorings Dolphins, 4, 5 and 6, in line with the existing 3 MDs. 3 new ship positions will therefore be created. For providing the necessary tranquillity and safe berthing position, the port shall be constructing an up-topping breakwater west of MD 6, soon after the MD is completed. These MDs can also be comfortably used for berthing cruise ships, non-cargo / naval ships, as well as floating hotels. The ships moored at the MDs would be at a distance of about 400- 500 mtrs. from the Breakwater area / Berth on the Mole. These MDs positions can be serviced by ferryboats / launches, etc.

8. With time, Mormugao Port hopes to have a proper cruise terminal, with cruise berths and a Marina at a location known as ‘Vasco Bay’. However, that could take anything from 4 to 5 years from now.

9. From your mail of 3.3.2010, it appears that some adjustments in port tariffs are required for taking into account the declining cruise selling prices, and helping the survival of the business. Your wish list is as follows:

Volume discounts, long term agreements, rebates on passengers taxes and port dues, more efficient port services suppliers, better performance on environmental and fresh water plants, less obsolete rules on compulsory tugs. These are just few examples of the actions we are looking for.

9.1 A preliminary reading of the above gives the impression that Mormugao Port will be able to work out some kind of a favourable tariff regime which may suit your requirements, and which may off-set, to some extent, the alleged onerous burden of customs duties and taxes. I would therefore suggest that we discuss your issues a little more in detail, to see if we can arrive at some good understanding, which will enable home porting of Costa Ships at Mormugao – Harbour.

10. Incidentally, may I also point out that Goa is the only state in India, which has relaxed its ‘Prohibition on Gambling Act’, which is titled “The Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976”. By the “ The Goa Public Gambling (Amendment) Bills , passed in 1996, 1997 and 2008, live gaming is allowed on “Vessels Offshore” . Such gaming is permitted by the State Government of Goa by issuing a licence / authorisation against payment of the prescribed fees. The licence / authorisation is valid for a certain period of time and allows offshore vessels to carry out the gaming activity. Essentially, this means that other than at the berth itself, gaming activities can be carried out anywhere on a vessel parked in the water area, if a licence has been obtained from the State Govt. Of course, if such activity is to be carried out within the notified limits of Mormugao Port Trust, permission will have to be obtained from the ‘Board of Trustees’ of the Port , as well as the ‘Ministry of Shipping’, Government of India, in addition to the licence from the State Government.

11. Further clarifications about the specific water areas in which gaming activities can be carried out by international cruise liners will have to be sought from the Government of Goa.

12. Nevertheless, the point remains that if a cruise vessel were to home port at MPT,Goa or even if it were to transit to and fro from any international port , there would be no fear of violation of the public gambling laws, or harassment of any kind, so long as the necessary license has been obtained from the Govt. of Goa. Thus, Costa could perhaps organise “Cruises to Nowhere”, i.e. when the cruise ship leaves Mormugao Port and goes out to the open seas with or without touching an international sea port other than in India, and comes back, then the gambling laws will not be a problem.

13. In my understanding, exciting possibilities exist, and with the construction of the proposed infrastructure, Mormugao Harbour could be considered as a good port for having regular cruise operations.

14. I know that there is still lack of clarity on many issues, and many creases need to be ironed out. One important area would be a reasonable agreement on tariffs between Costa and MPT. These issues are for us to take forward.

15. I await further response, if any from you side.

With Best Wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

(Praveen Agarwal)

Mr. Gianni Onorato,

President,

M/s. Costa Crociere S.p.A,

Via XII Ottobre 2,

16121 Genova, Italy.