Goa's Ambitious Cruise Terminal Project Hits Major Roadblock
The development of a state-of-the-art cruise terminal at Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) in Goa has been plunged into uncertainty following the termination of the contract with the Gurgaon-based construction firm RCC-ACC. This Rs 72 crore project, which forms a crucial component of the central government's Cruise Bharat Mission and Sagarmala Scheme, is now facing significant delays due to legal complications and administrative hurdles.
Contract Termination and Legal Challenges
The project management consultant, Cochin Port Authority, issued a termination notice to RCC-ACC on December 10, citing the contractor's failure to execute the work as agreed. Construction activities had already come to a complete halt during the October-December quarter, prompting this decisive action. However, RCC-ACC swiftly moved the Kerala High Court to challenge the termination decision.
The high court granted an initial one-month stay on December 18, which was subsequently extended by two additional months. This legal intervention has effectively restrained any coercive action against the contractor, putting the entire project in a state of limbo until the court proceedings are resolved.
Conflicting Perspectives on Project Delays
Port officials have attributed the project's stagnation to the private contractor's financial difficulties, while RCC-ACC has presented a different narrative. The construction firm maintains that work could not proceed without essential Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) approvals, which experienced substantial delays in the clearance process.
Records reveal that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority finally granted the necessary CRZ approval in October 2024. This approval came more than two years after the contract was originally awarded and the foundation stone was ceremoniously laid, highlighting significant bureaucratic delays that have plagued the project from its inception.
Project Specifications and Tourism Vision
The terminated contract, valued at Rs 72.1 crore, was awarded to RCC-ACC for the construction of both international and domestic cruise terminal facilities. The ambitious project design includes:
- Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax facilities for efficient passenger and vehicle movement
- 24 immigration counters to handle international passenger traffic
- 10 check-in counters for streamlined boarding processes
- A spacious 3,700 square meter waiting lounge and shopping zone
- An integrated commercial hub within the terminal building
The techno-economic feasibility report was meticulously prepared by Feedback Infra Private Limited, while Team One India handled the comprehensive architectural and engineering design aspects of this landmark infrastructure project.
Official Statements and Future Prospects
MPA Chairman N Vinodkumar provided clarity on the current situation, stating, "Cochin Port Authority terminated the services of the present contractor due to slow progress and lack of firm timelines from their side. MPA is ready to float the new tender, but we must wait for vacation of the court stay."
Regarding potential timelines, Vinodkumar added, "We kept December this year as our target timeline. The high court will hear the matter about vacation of stay in the coming week. If legal hurdles are cleared, completion by year-end remains possible."
Broader Implications for Coastal Development
This cruise terminal represents a strategic initiative under the Centre's Cruise Bharat Mission, which aims to develop major Indian ports as vibrant cruise hubs to boost tourism and enhance coastal connectivity. The project's current stagnation, now nearly three years behind its original schedule, raises concerns about India's maritime infrastructure development pace.
The next hearing scheduled for Tuesday will be crucial in determining the project's immediate future. Until the legal stay is vacated, Mormugao Port Authority cannot proceed with floating a new tender, leaving this significant tourism infrastructure project in a precarious position with no clear operational timeline in sight.
