NT Reporter
Panaji
The Confederation of Indian Industry-Goa on Tuesday called for the early formation of the state maritime board, a proposal that had been kept aside for several years, but lately revived by the
government.
“A maritime board is necessary to unlock growth opportunities in the Goan shipbuilding industry,” said CII-Goa chairman Arjun Chowgule.
He said Goa with the right policy interventions has the potential to emerge as a national hub for high-tech shipbuilding and renewable energy.
“With the establishment of a board, Goa can be positioned as a global maritime and sustainability leader,” Chowgule reckoned.
Excluding Goa, all other maritime states in India have set up maritime boards in line with the regulations of the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.
The state government had earlier said that a maritime board is not needed. However, in the Goa budget 2025-25, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a proposal to set up a maritime board as well as establish a state maritime master plan.
The CII also called for the introduction of a degree course in naval architecture and shipbuilding engineering to develop a skilled workforce, while flagging infrastructure concerns such as bridge height restrictions limiting ship movement.
The design of the new Borim bridge entails a height of 14 metres, as against the height of 16 metres of the existing bridge. Shipbuilders have said the proposed height is too low.
Members of CII-Goa met the Chief Minister on Tuesday to highlight requirements of Goan industry among other issues. At the meeting, the delegation presented recommendations on GST 2.0, ease of doing business (EoDB), sustainability, and shipbuilding industry.
The CII-Goa said the state achieved EoDB progress on 23 shortlisted reforms but needs further simplification of factory layout plan approvals and faster clearances from local bodies.
In renewable energy, the industry body proposed extending the state solar policy beyond March 2026, and removing the 500-mw solar cap to sustain clean energy adoption by power consumers.
