Union Ports Minister Sonowal Inaugurates Rs 48.87-Cr Captain of Ports Terminal in Goa
Panaji, June 26 (TNT): Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated the new Captain of Ports Terminal Building in Goa, a ₹48.87-crore waterfront facility aimed at strengthening maritime administration, vessel monitoring and navigation while supporting the state’s maritime development.
The G+3 building, developed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), spans over 4,405 square metres and replaces the existing Captain of Ports office.
Designed in the shape of a ship docked along the Mandovi riverfront, the facility will serve as the administrative headquarters of the Captain of Ports Department.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, Goa Ministers Digambar Kamat and Subhash Phal Dessai, MPs, MLAs, senior government officials and representatives of the maritime sector attended the inauguration.
Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the terminal symbolises Goa’s maritime identity and the state’s commitment to modernisation and sustainable development.
The facility houses modern passenger amenities, a double-height public lobby, conference halls, marine and hydrographic offices, navigational control infrastructure, a radio communication centre and public utility spaces. It also features a rooftop amphitheatre with a seating capacity of about 450, an indoor restaurant and an open terrace for public and maritime events.
Highlighting the Centre’s achievements in the maritime sector, Sonowal said India’s port handling capacity has nearly doubled over the past 12 years, while vessel turnaround time has been reduced from 95 hours to 41 hours.
He said the country’s seafaring workforce has grown to over 3.23 lakh, coastal cargo movement has more than doubled, cruise passenger traffic has increased over fourfold and operational National Waterways have expanded from three to 32.
The Union Minister said India has also emerged as the world’s leading ship recycling nation in terms of gross tonnage.
Praising Goa’s maritime initiatives, Sonowal said the state was the first in the country to implement the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, and noted that the proposed Goa Maritime Board, Goa Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy and Maritime Master Plan would further strengthen the sector.
He said infrastructure projects worth more than ₹1,300 crore have been completed at the Mormugao Port Authority since 2014, while projects valued at over ₹2,000 crore are under implementation. These include redevelopment of Berth No. 9, the Vasco Bay Project with a new fishing harbour, capital dredging for deep-draft berths and a modern Seafarers’ Club.
Sonowal also announced that the proposed Goa Water Metro project has been accorded Phase-I implementation priority and said it would provide sustainable and environment-friendly urban transport while boosting tourism.
The Union Minister also lauded the Captain of Ports Department for improving river transport through modern floating jetties, passenger terminals and enhanced navigational safety systems, and congratulated the Goa Government on establishing the Goa Institute of Maritime Excellence to promote maritime education and skill development.
He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to supporting Goa’s maritime infrastructure development under the Sagarmala Programme and Maritime India Vision 2030.
TNT KS
