Panaji: A 40-m-long floating jetty at Betul, inaugurated during India Energy Week, 2026, collapsed on Tuesday amid strong winds and rough seas after losing two support piers. The jetty is part of ONGC’s Sagar Setu project and was inaugurated by Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Jan.Authorities said the collapse was triggered by an imbalance after an elevator suffered a technical glitch and got stuck during operations. “The reason for the collapse is that the lift got stuck, and due to this, the balance of the structure shifted and it failed. ONGC is doing an internal study. We will require a technical expert,” said South Goa collector Egna Cleetus.The Sagar Setu is an 8-m-wide floating jetty with elevators and a staircase, a gangway, and a top waiting lounge for VIPs. It was built to facilitate sea-route transport and was used during India Energy Week to ferry VIPs and delegates from resorts.The structure is located near the mouth of the Sal river. Fisherfolk from Betul, Cavelossim and Cutbona fear that if the metal structure collapses further, it could drift and block the river mouth, affecting navigation after the monsoon.The incident comes a day after ports minister Digambar Kamat backed building floating jetties in Goa, saying they would strengthen maritime infrastructure and improve water transport.Velim MLA Cruz Silva called the collapse a wake-up call, questioning public spending on a project costing over Rs 100 crore. He also raised concerns about whether required environmental clearances were obtained, noting that fisherfolk have awaited a protective wall near the Cutbona fishing jetty for over two decades.ONGC’s internal study is awaited. Officials said an inspection was conducted by the sub-divisional magistrate and a team, and a report has been called for. Silva has demanded an independent technical inquiry to establish the exact cause and fix responsibility if negligence or poor-quality work is found.
