Panaji: The Goa government has initiated the process to transition the captain of ports department into a state maritime board, announced Minister for Ports Digambar Kamat on Sunday. Kamat stated that the department has already begun drafting the rules for the state maritime board in compliance with the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which was passed by Parliament.
Compliance with Central Law
Kamat explained that with the Centre notifying the Indian Ports Act, 2025, each state is required to implement the provisions of the central law. He said, "They are framing the rules now, and the Goa government is also framing the rules in conformity with the ports act. Till such time that we frame the rules and constitute the maritime board, the captain of ports will continue. Once the maritime board is notified, the captain of ports will be changed to state maritime board."
Postponement of New Terminal Inauguration
Kamat provided this information while announcing that the inauguration of the new captain of ports terminal in the state capital, which was scheduled for Monday, has been postponed because Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is unavailable. Department officials indicated that a new date and time for the inauguration will be announced soon.
However, some government officials revealed that the decision to cancel the inauguration was taken after former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, who also served as the captain of ports, highlighted a discrepancy in government procedure. Gomes noted that with the Indian Ports Act, 2025, replacing the colonial-era Indian Ports Act of 1908, the government could not proceed with the inauguration. He stated, "Port management now should be with the state maritime board. Naming the new building to be inaugurated as captain of ports will neither be in accordance with law nor your presence will make it legal."
Project Background
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation began construction of the department's administrative office before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the project has missed multiple deadlines. The Rs 49 crore terminal has been developed as a three-storey structure on the Mandovi riverfront. The terminal is based on the design of a ship, with a total built-up area of 4,405 square meters.
