PANJIM: Explaining the Rs 1 lakh crore PM Gati Shakti Plan before the who’s who of industrialists in Goa, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari lamented that many of the projects get stalled due to protests and issues related to clearances.
“Shipping is very and most important for the economy of Goa and for this inter-connecting and drafting of all waterways is extremely important. When I was Shipping Minister, I had taken a decision to draft the Goa port to 18 meters but NGT stopped it, so it is up to you to take a decision and you need to have clearances and take responsibility for these hindrances. Somewhere we need cooperation from environment activists and the judiciary and without that it is difficult to implement the projects. We need cooperation from the people of Goa,” Gadkari said in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
He lamented that he had considered a lot of water transport projects for Goa but the environment clearances and opposition from the activists stalled all such projects which could have helped development. “We have the highest priority to protect the environment and ecology before we take up any projects,” Gadkari said, and added that inland waterways transportation can immensely help Goa to avail of cheaper modes of transportation.
However, Gadkari informed the audience that the Chief Minister of Goa had requested him to build a road near the Mopa airport for better connectivity. “About 7-8 kilometres of road we have declared as National Highway and we are spending Rs 1200 crore on that road for connecting Goa to the world and it will be very helpful for Goa. All we need is cooperation and coordination from different departments for easier implementation of projects which saves money and time,” the Union Minister said.
He emphasised that Goa, apart from benefits from the inland waterways, can also gain from tourism. “I have seen the presentation of projects in Goa, specially the Zuari Bridge which I can assure you will be tourist attraction for all in Goa like Eiffel Tower in Paris. It will be a great benchmark for tourism in India. It will be the state of the art construction. I am thankful to Goa CM for sanctioning land for this project. There will be food mall, handicraft shops, etc which will attract tourists,” Gadkari added. The Zuari Bridge project is also going to have a revolving restaurant on the bridge.
Explaining the Gati Shakti Plan the Union Minister mentioned that tourism has the capacity to have a capital investment of 49 per cent on human resources which means lots of employment will be generated. “All activities related to water will escalate in Goa with the development of infrastructure. I am also insisting to start and amphibious sea plane in Goa. In fact Civil Aviation Ministry were delaying and as Shipping Minister I had threatened them that I will make a new Act that is by renaming it as ‘flying boat’ and not plane. Thankfully, all is cleared now. We need to resolve the problems,” Gadkari said.
Goa with a coastline of over 100 kilometres can benefit a lot from fisheries he said. The target of India is to achieve an economy of Rs 7 lakh crore by the ‘blue economy’ which includes procuring, processing, packaging, distribution and even export of fish. “Goa can take good advantage from this project,” the Union Minister said. He also encouraged Goa to build drones, as in the coming years drones will play a very important role in all sectors including agriculture. He further added that Goa can take advantage in processing of their products like the fisheries, cashew nuts etc.
Explaining the Gati Shakti Plan on a national platform the Union Minister said that presently they have 1.43 lakh kilometres of National Highways and the idea is to extend it up to 2 lakh kilometres before 2025. Secondly, the four or six-laning of 5590 kilometres of National Highway along the coastal areas is on high priority. Thirdly, connecting of all North-Eastern states with four-lane national highways is also in the agenda. “As far Goa is concerned, we have already sanctioned the project cost of Rs 25,000 crore and this project is all in process. The most important connectivity for Goa is to Maharashtra and Karnataka and the Union government has planned to spend Rs 18,000 crore on this project. This is very important for Goa,” added the Union Minister.
Earlier, while thanking the industry representatives Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “Goa can set up and excellent example for the Gati Shakti Plan and I request the Union Minister to guide us and our industry representatives so that we can take advantage of this plan.”
Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) president Ralph de Sousa welcomed the move made in Gati Shakti Plan. The Union Minister also interacted with several industrialists of Goa and answered their queries.
