The government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vetoed a maintenance dredging on the Tapajós River, which may compromise navigation on the waterway. The decision occurs in a context of a strong El Niño prospect for this year, which may worsen the situation of waterway routes in Brazil's North region.
The interruption of navigability on the Tapajós River may cause a loss of up to R$ 850 million in soy and corn exports. The waterway is an important route for transporting grains produced in the region, and the impossibility of maintenance dredging compromises the minimum draft needed for vessels to pass.
In addition to the economic impact on the agricultural sector, the measure puts at risk the circulation of local populations that depend on the river for transportation and access to basic services. The article is exclusive for subscribers, without full access available.
