As a civilization we are bound by the forces of nature to venture, explore and spread. With each passing year populations in villages, towns, cities and metros are ever expanding. Bursting at the seams, it’s only a matter of time before suburbs become mini towns, and evolve into full scale cities as well.
While this evolution occurs, there is a strain on our resources and infrastructure to accommodate it. In Goa alone, between 2012 and 2016 a population spurt of 1.08 million people occurred. That meant, pressure on housing, consumables and transport. So if you’re wondering why traffic has been so bad over the last few years, now you know. It was even one of the key reasons we have a 3rd bridge over the Mandovi.
But this is just one aspect of the inconvenience, more travel on the roads means, more fuel consumption, transport costs added to end consumers, more wear and tear and yes, more traffic accidents. Around 300 traffic fatalities occur every year. 69% of them are 2-wheeler commuters. 2017 has been the worst year yet.
An influx of tourists all year round further chokes main arteries, further making the situation worse. Couple that with more goods and services being needed wherever tourists are, and the recipe is complete.
Food inflation is another major ripple we are completely Tsunamied under. Food staples like tomatoes and onions have seen tremendous price spikes this year. Though flooding was one of the causes, a disrupted supply chain only made it worse. Road networks, limited cold storage facilities and the perishable nature of the commodities compound the situation.
Goa is a small state. One of the smallest in India. And yet interconnectivity is primarily by road, limited by train and almost negligible by water. Which is quite surprising for a state that can turn this into a huge advantage. For decades ferries have been the bridge connecting pocketed isles and talukas. And often that is all we thought about them for. Consider if you will, the point where water transportation can benefit the state immensely.
Assuming a truck has to deliver goods from Karaswada Industrial Estate to MPT. Time taken 24 hrs, distance travelled is 45 kilometres. Same situation applied to a truck having to travel from Karaswada Industrial Estate to JNPT Navi Mumbai. Time taken is 10 hrs. Distance travelled 549.8 kilometres. Why doesn’t this add up? MPT only allows road transport at night and longer route as they can’t pass over the Zuari bridge whereas sea ferried goods can dock throughout the day.
Goa has a registered number of over 40,000 trucks, 4500 multi axle vehicles, 12,000 light motor goods carriers and 9500 busses. This mind-boggling figure is still small compared to the number of private taxis, cars, rickshaws and motorbikes registered in the state. This number also doesn’t account for the tourists that visit through their own private vehicles and busses. Looking at these numbers holistically, its imperative that we have smarter options to move through the state in the most optimal fashion possible. Ferries are one way to decongest the roads. Alternatives to the Panjim bridge need to be ramped up. Strategic jetties moving from Rail and Airport to points across Goa has to be considered and implemented.
Manufacturing in Goa contributes 38% to our state GDP. But the sector is dependent on road transport completely for its supply. Accidents, state strikes and unforeseen road conditions only complicate a logistic schedule, making it inefficient and expensive. Water transport has huge economic savings in this regard where the numbers show:
• 1 Horsepower can carry 4000 Kg-km load in water, but only 150 Kg-km by road and 500 Kg-km by rail.
• Fuel savings: 1 litres of fuel moves 105 tonnes per kilometre via inland water but only 24 tonne per Km by road and 85 tonnes per Km by rail.
• Pollution emissions: 32-36 grams of CO2 per Km, while road and rail clock in ranges from 51-91 grams of CO2 per km.
• Logistics costs in India is one of the highest among major countries @ 18%. The European Union comes in at 10-12% and China at 8-10%.
Considering the volume of goods moved through the country, savings can be seen across 100’s of crores per year. Only on transport. Efficiencies produced by this channel will be big multiplier to that number. It’s no surprise that China’s rise to an industrial superpower was to improve tremendously on its waterways network. Costs advantages from its infrastructural spends have resonated through the decades.
Despite the obvious advantages movement by waterways is just 0.5% of the total inland traffic. In China that number is 8.7%.
Development of waterways has received an impetus through the I.W.A.I. As a state we must look to sustainable progress. Progress that has learnt from past mistakes of rampant exploitation. Progress that make our lives easier, effective and thereby smarter.
The Smart cities across the world have integrated waterways as one of its key thrust areas. Avenues built across eco-tourism using non-polluting technology, efficient transport, scientific studies, emergency services, rescue operations. The list goes on. In a short while Panjim will join the ranks of a Smart City. Hopefully all these benefits will contribute to it being a model one.
Goa can have a unique advantage of being not just a model state, but an example for larger states to follow. Decongesting our existing infrastructure, while opening this new channel, will keep Goa Clean, Green and Pristine.
(The writer Prasad P. Sawant is the CEO of Buoyancy Consultants and can be reached at prasads@buoyancyconsultants.com).
