Goa has a huge potential for blue economy, says Gadkari

Foundation stone laid for Konkan Maritime Cluster CFC at Verna Industrial Estate

THE GOAN NETWORK | OCTOBER 26, 2020, 12:57 AM IST
Goa has a huge potential for blue economy, says Gadkari

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant laying the foundation stone on Sunday while the plaque was unveiled virtually by Nitin Gadkari.


PANAJI
Pitching for the need of new-design ships which can go 100 nautical miles in the sea for fishing, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said the government at the Centre was concentrating on making the blue economy worth at least Rs 5-6 lakh crore.

The Union Minister was speaking after virtualy unveiling a plaque for foundation stone laying of construction for Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Konkan Maritime Cluster at Verna Industrial Estate.

Gadkari said there is a huge potential for the blue economy and it needs news ships, technology and engines. He informed that the government is conitinously working to use methanol or LNG as fuel in ships and other water transport for pollution-free as well as cost effective mode of transport. 

"We should practice successful international practices, adapt to new technology and innovations. Goa has an advantage to become a manufacturing hub of international standards for maritime sector and blue economy," he said. 

Konkan Maritime Cluster will qualitatively contribute in the making of New India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, he opined. "This is a golden opportunity for  development of Goa. Goa can be a growth centre for marine hub and maritime cluster which is a need for future India and this will be a historical contribution by Goa for the country," Gadkari said while adding that, Konkan Maritime Cluster will be a growth engine for the development of Goa creating employment potential for thousands of Goan youths.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who was physically present at the function said, "With the laying of the foundation stone on the auspicious occasion of Dushehra, Goa has made Simollanghan (a ritual of Dushehra) in the Industrial Sector of the State." 

Maritime and shipping industry is not new for Goa. It was in force since the Portuguese era, and time to time development has taken place in this industry. Konkan Maritime Cluster is a proud moment for every Goan, said the Chief Minister while exuberating confidence of this sector reaching across the world.

Goa has 11 rivers and one major and one minor port but optimum utilisation of this water ways and ports is very minimum, he said. "There is a wrong mindset among many that Goan ports are only for coal business which needs to be changed by other activities and business." He said the State government is not creating infrastructural projects for the coal industry. "There is no need for agitation. Development of ports and other infrastructure is for the use of different type of industries imports and exports." 

By using the waterways, Goa's tourism industry can be connected to Dabolim Airport and the government is planning to develop same on private partnership model. Government alone can't increase economy and employment but various sectors and industries should come forward for that, he said. 

Union Minister of State for Shipping, Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandviya addressing the function virtually said, inland waterways is developing at fast pace in the country and in coming days to boost and promote coastal shipping, government will come out with a bill in the Parliament by which coastal transportation in the country will increase. Goa Health Minister who too was present at the function in Verna said, "Evolution and change has to come and we need to move fast and fastrack with change in order to take the shipping industry which is very old industry in State. We need to take this industry to a different level. Konkan Martime Cluster will not only change the dynamics but also bring more employment." 

Director General Shipping Amitabh Kumar also spoke on the occasion.

National Advisor, Government of India (I/C), Captain JP Jaykumar was also present on the occasion. Chairman and Managing Director, Konkan Maritime Cluster, Sooraj Dehlani proposed a vote of thanks.

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