Goa to Form Maritime Board to Unlock Coastal Potential
In a significant move to harness its maritime resources, Goa is set to establish a dedicated maritime board aimed at optimizing the utilization of its extensive 105-kilometre coastline and inland waterways. The announcement was made by ports minister Digambar Kamat during his address at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) conference on logistics held in Panaji on Thursday.
Accelerating Economic Growth Through Maritime Development
The process for creating the Goa Maritime Board has already been initiated, with Kamat assuring stakeholders that the board will be established soon. "I assure you that very soon you will have the Goa Maritime Board because it is the right thing," he stated emphatically. The minister highlighted that this initiative is a key component of the state's strategy to accelerate economic growth, responding to suggestions from industry leaders, including the CII.
Kamat revealed that the ports department has been actively deliberating on inputs from various states that have successfully implemented their own maritime boards. "I got details from various states and many states already formed their maritime boards. We are going through all the details and I will take all the stakeholders into confidence before finalising the maritime board constitution," he explained, emphasizing a collaborative approach.
Addressing Underutilized Maritime Potential
Despite possessing a substantial coastline, Goa has not fully exploited its maritime opportunities, a point acknowledged by the ports minister. "We have 105km of coastline, but we did not utilise it, unfortunately," Kamat remarked, drawing comparisons with Kerala, which has effectively leveraged its waterways and backwaters for tourism and transportation. He expressed optimism about developing water transport infrastructure, noting that the current overemphasis on road transport needs to be balanced with greater focus on river-based systems. "We are concentrating only on roads. We have to give more thrust to transport through rivers and in Goa it is possible," he asserted.
Streamlining Management and Reducing Costs
The proposed Goa Maritime Board, which has been under consideration for several years, aims to streamline the management of the state's ports and inland waterways while promoting maritime trade and tourism. Speaking at the same conference, industries minister Mauvin Godinho highlighted the economic benefits, particularly for manufacturing industries. "Transportation of cargo through the waterways can bring down the transportation cost for manufacturing industries. We have to get the cost down. We steadily but slowly are becoming a logistics state," Godinho stated, underscoring the potential for cost savings and enhanced logistics efficiency.
Key objectives of the maritime board include:
- Enhancing the utilization of Goa's 105-kilometre coastline for tourism and trade.
- Developing inland waterways to complement road transport and reduce congestion.
- Promoting maritime infrastructure to attract investments and boost economic growth.
- Learning from successful models in other states like Kerala to implement best practices.
The establishment of the Goa Maritime Board represents a strategic shift towards leveraging the state's natural assets for sustainable development. By focusing on water-based transportation and maritime activities, Goa aims to not only diversify its economy but also position itself as a key logistics hub in the region. The initiative reflects a broader vision to transform the state's transportation landscape and unlock new avenues for growth and prosperity.
