Panaji : Logistics industry experts and port authorities on Thursday underscored the urgent need for a scientific traffic study and proactive infrastructure planning to push Goa as a regional trade hub.
Speaking at the 11th edition of the CII Goa Logistics Conference, the experts highlighted how narrow roads, the lack of head office presence, and infrastructure bottlenecks are hindering the state’s logistical competitiveness.
The panel, discussing ‘Infrastructure and Policy Enablers for Trade Competitiveness’, deliberated on a Industries and Commerce Ministry report categorising Goa as having only ‘average’ logistics service availability.
Vinayak Rao, deputy chairperson of the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), took part in the discussion.
He pointed out that while road connectivity from the port to the highway is complete, the hinterland remains a challenge.
“Connecting to hinterland areas in southern Maharashtra and northern Karnataka is difficult because roads are narrow. We often only take up road work once it is saturated, but action and planning are required well in advance, including the four and six-laning of highways,” Rao stated.
He specifically noted that roads from Margao to Balli, and into the Canacona belt and Anmod Ghat, remain largely single-track, despite MPA having the capacity to handle significant cargo via road.
Echoing the call for data-driven planning, Anthony Gaskell, director of Sentrans Shipping Pvt Ltd, emphasised that a “traffic study is very important” for the state. He observed that the absence of corporate head offices in Goa further impacts the growth of the sector.
From an industry perspective, Kishore Parab, vice-president of Supply Chain at Deccan Fine Chemicals Pvt Ltd, pointed to the disparity in local connectivity.
“Only Verna has good road connectivity. In other places, moving large trucks is difficult, and road infrastructure is often blocked due to agitations,” Parab said, adding that Kundaim and southern Goa are poorly connected.
He also suggested that bonded warehouses need extra incentives to handle hazardous cargo effectively.
Anurag Bhagauliwal, senior vice-president and head of South West Port Ltd, explained that a traffic study would clarify where and how cargo is being shipped, providing a roadmap for efficiency.
To transition from an average logistics performer to a leader, Goa must move beyond reactive measures and invest in scientific studies to streamline its multimodal networks, the conference reckoned.
Shamil Ahmed, director of Delta Ports Mormugao Terminal Pvt Ltd, identified environmental concerns and narrow roads as primary obstacles.
“Narrow roads and environmental issues are stopping the government from moving forward. We need to focus on the doubling of railway lines to ease the pressure on our road network,” Ahmed said.
