Goa to Miss October 31 Deadline for Maritime Masterplan.

Goa is set to miss its October 31 deadline for submitting its comprehensive maritime and waterways masterplan. According to Captain of Ports, Octavio Rodrigues, the delay is due to the project management consultant not yet being officially brought on board. Rodrigues stated that the department now expects to complete the plan by December.

Speaking at the India Maritime Week 2025 roadshow, Rodrigues explained that the masterplan is crucial for securing funding from the Ministry of Shipping and Waterways. "We need to produce the masterplan... so that we get the funding from the central government," he said. Rodrigues confirmed that a consultant has been selected and will be brought on board within the next week, after which the drafting process will begin.

A coordination committee has already been established with representatives from various departments to oversee the masterplan's preparation.

Key Focus Areas

Rodrigues outlined several key areas the masterplan will focus on:

• 
  

  Upgrading river transportation with Ro-Ro and Ro-pax ferries, as well as water taxis.

  
  


• 
  

  Developing the blue economy and fisheries.

  
  


• 
  

  Promoting green energy navigation and the adoption of green fuels.

  
  


• 
  

  Creating marine fuel stations.

  
  

Additionally, a proposal for a 200-meter concrete jetty near bridges for cruise and coastal police vessels has been submitted, with funding expected to come from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Sagarmala program.