Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: With the building of nine coastal jetties planned, the national government is working with the state governments to establish Goa as a key freight and cruise destination.
As of right now, Goa has a ferry terminal and an international and local cruise terminal built under the Sagarmala Scheme.
In response to a related query from Rajya Sabha member Sadanand Tanavade on Tuesday, Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, stated that the central government has constructed a ferry terminal and an international and domestic cruise terminal at Mormugao port, with an estimated project cost of Rs 101.72 crore.
“The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is also preparing Detailed Project Reports for nine coastal jetties in Goa to boost cargo volume, reduce traffic, and improve inland transport,” he added, adding that the project is expected to be finished by March 2025.
He noted that measures are being taken to boost freight, such as constructing new terminals, enlarging current ones, improving connection, modernizing equipment, and encouraging coastal shipping with subsidies and lower fees.
“The central government launched the Cruise Bharat Mission in 2024 to further boost cruise activities,” Sonowal stated, adding that the initiative is likely to have positive economic effects, including the creation of jobs in the transportation, hotel, retail, and tourism industries as well as an increase in local business revenue.
“Enhanced inland waterway services, such as ferry and RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)) service, made possible by integrated cruise circuits, also improve local connectivity,” he stated.
