PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday said that seaplanes and small aircraft operations proposed by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry will enhance tourism potential in the State.
Sawant said this after attending the Sagarmala Apex Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbanand Sonowal at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.
The Chief Minister said that both the proposals will diversify and expand the scope of tourism and economic opportunities in Goa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is leading India towards the port-led development with the Sagarmala Project.
Stating that fruitful deliberations took place in the meeting regarding progress of Sagarmala Project, Sawant said, “Made my submission for inclusion of institutions such as National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), National Institute for Polar and Ocean Research, Council of Scientific Research, etc for increasing the scope and research driven approach towards the implementation of the project.”
The Chief Minister exuded confidence that Goa’s share in India’s export will rise in due course of time.
Union Minister Sonowal said that the Ministry identified a total of 567 projects under convergence mode with an estimated cost of Rs 58,700 crore.
He said, “While Sagarmala is port-led and focuses on the logistic cost reduction and EXIM competitiveness, Holistic Development of Coastal Districts aims to bridge the gaps in infrastructure at the coastal areas and improve economic opportunity.”
“With addition of projects identified in Holistic Development of Coastal Districts and new project proposals received under Sagarmala, total number of projects stands at 1,537 worth Rs 6.5 lakh crore,” Sonowal added.
The Ministry is also developing two mega cruise terminal projects through Sagarmala Scheme at Mumbai and Mormugao Port. Upgrading and modernisation of International Cruise Terminal at Mumbai worth Rs 303 crore is under construction, project has registered progress more than 70 per cent. Ministry is also supporting development of international and domestic cruise terminal and allied facilities at Mormugao Port.
The Ministry has till date funded 140 projects to the tune of Rs 8,748 crore and is reviewing additional proposals sent by various State governments. More than 200 locations have been identified for development of floating jetties and 50 locations form part of the Phase 1 implementation.
It also was noted that there are 33 fishing harbour projects taken up of which part funding of 22 fishing harbour projects to the tune of Rs 2,400 crore has been sanctioned.
