GCCI urges infrastructure upgrades, expands ferry services

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) emphasised the necessity for the River Navigation Department to conduct a thorough audit of all access roads and ferry ramps in Goa. The goal is to identify and address any infrastructure deficiencies to prevent accidents, as stated by the GCCI. Furthermore, the GCCI called for an expansion of the ferry fleet to better serve both locals and tourists. During a meeting with River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, a delegation led by Chandrakant Gawas, the chairman of GCCI's logistics committee, submitted a representation advocating for the enhancement of ferry services in the state. Gawas recommended that the department mandate regular maintenance for all ferry boats and conduct routine assessments of the ramps connected to ferry jetties to promptly address any issues and prevent mishaps. Among the discussed points, the delegation highlighted the importance of educating the general public and tourists who utilise ferry services to prevent accidents caused by commuter negligence. Gawas suggested gathering feedback from the public to understand their service improvement needs and proposed sending staff for training in states with similar ferry operations. Expressing the need for increased ferry capacity to attract more tourists, Gawas urged the minister to consider implementing a water metro project in Goa, akin to the successful Kochi water metro in Kerala. The GCCI believes that water-based transportation can alleviate traffic congestion, boost tourism, and contribute to government revenue. The GCCI reported that the minister acknowledged the concerns raised by stakeholders and assured a thorough examination of the issues.