Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Citizens for Democracy (CFD) has urged the Goa government to establish the Goa State Maritime Board at the earliest, stating that the move is necessary to comply with the provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
In a memorandum addressed to Captain of Ports Minister Digambar Kamat, CFD representatives Elvis Gomes and Yogesh Nagvenkar highlighted that the new legislation, which came into force in August 2025, envisages the creation of State Maritime Boards to oversee maritime and port-related affairs.
According to the organisation, Goa needs to take prompt steps to bring its administrative structure in line with the updated legal framework governing ports. The representation stresses that the establishment of a Maritime Board is not merely an administrative decision but a requirement arising from the implementation of the new law.
CFD also raised concerns regarding permissions and approvals issued under the previous legal regime. It noted that the Indian Ports Act of 1908 has been repealed and replaced, and argued that regulatory actions must now derive authority from the provisions of the new legislation. The organisation cautioned that failure to align procedures with the current law could lead to legal complications in future development-related approvals.
The NGO has called on the government to review and frame all port-related regulations and administrative decisions in accordance with the Indian Ports Act, 2025. It said such steps would provide clarity to stakeholders while ensuring that statutory requirements are fully observed.
Additionally, CFD has suggested that the building currently designated as the Captain of Ports office in Panaji should be renamed before its formal inauguration. The organisation believes that adopting the name **Goa State Maritime Board** would better reflect the governance structure envisaged under the new law and signal the state’s commitment to implementing the legislative changes.
The representation seeks early action from the government to ensure that Goa’s maritime administration remains legally compliant and equipped to function under the provisions of the new national ports framework.
