55 barges in Goa sold during mining ban: Minister

Out of the 525 private barges used for carrying iron ore in Goa, 55 were sold during the ban on mining activities in the state, the legislative assembly was told today.
In a written response to a query on barges, Captain of Ports Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told the assembly that one out of the ten private barges in Goa were sold out of the state due to the ban.
Mining activities in Goa had come to a halt in September 2012, which turned the barges useless.
As per the minister's reply tabled on the floor, the barges were sold to the companies in Gujarat, Mumbai, Kolkata and Karnataka.

Barges carry iron ore from various jetties to the port before it is exported.
Though the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on mining industry in Goa in April this year, the operations are yet to start. The iron ore excavation and mining activities may start from October.