PANJIM: In a major initiative, the State government has offered a red carpet to those willing to invest in the development of Goa’s 250km long inland waterways that will help decongest road traffic and create employment opportunities for locals, while attracting tourism.
At the recent Maritime India Summit in Mumbai, the government welcomed investment in developing the State inland waterways.
“Central government is exploring the possibility of inviting investment in the maritime sector. This investment can create employment and also develop coastal states,” Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who attended the summit, said on his return.
Parsekar said the State will prioritise waterways development. “We will explore the possibility of developing our waterfront. The work on developing Chapora River has already started,” he said adding that the stretch between Chapora and Colvale would be taken up for development on a pilot basis.
The Chief Ministers from Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat had participated in the summit that was opened on Thursday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was attended by domestic and international investors.
“The investment can be made by constructing jetties in the coastal villages so that rivers can be used to ferry tourists and locals,” Parsekar said, adding that the development of inland waterways would be an added tourist attraction.
He said Goa has 650 km of inland waterways of which only 250 km is navigable. “We can dredge certain rivers and increase the navigable portion of the rivers,” he said.
Parsekar said concepts like water parks were also discussed at the summit. “We want investors to put in their capital in such projects so that the jobs are created and also tourism, which is concentrated in the coastal belt, can be taken to other villages,” he added.
Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari has already announced that five major rivers – Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Chapora and Mapusa – would be developed under the inland waterways. The Union Ministry has already granted in principle approval for construction of floating jetties across the State, for promotion of inland waterways.
