Union Minister of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates a Rs 48.87 crore waterfront facility in Panaji and announces that the Goa Water Metro project has been brought under Phase-I implementation priority.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Goa’s new Captain of Ports Terminal Building in Panaji on June 26, 2026, in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, Goa Minister for Captain of Ports Digambar Kamat and Goa Minister for River Navigation Subhash Phal Dessai.
The Rs 48.87 crore G+3 waterfront facility, developed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), spans more than 4,405 square metres and overlooks the Mandovi River. Built on a pile foundation using a composite steel-and-reinforced-concrete structure, the building houses the Captain of Ports Department and includes modern passenger facilities, a double-height public lobby, conference facilities, marine and hydrographic offices, navigational control infrastructure, a radio communications centre and public amenities.
A rooftop amphitheatre with a seating capacity of approximately 450, an indoor restaurant and an open terrace have also been incorporated. Sonowal said the facility is “a symbol of Goa’s maritime identity, its commitment to modernisation and its vision for a sustainable and people-centric future.” In a significant announcement, the Minister confirmed that the proposed Goa Water Metro project has been brought under Phase-I implementation priority under the National Water Metro rollout.
Sonowal highlighted that India’s ports have nearly doubled their capacity over the past twelve years, vessel turnaround time has been reduced from 95 hours to 41 hours, India’s seafaring workforce has grown to more than 3.23 lakh, coastal cargo movement has more than doubled, cruise passenger traffic has increased more than fourfold and operational National Waterways have expanded from three to 32. He also noted that India has emerged as the world’s leading ship recycling nation by gross tonnage. On Goa specifically, Sonowal noted that the state became the first in India to implement the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, and highlighted the proposed Goa Maritime Board, Goa Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy and Maritime Master Plan as forthcoming additions to the state’s maritime ecosystem. At Mormugao Port Authority, infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 1,300 crore have been completed since 2014 and projects exceeding Rs 2,000 crore are under implementation, including the redevelopment of Berth No. 9, the Vasco Bay Project with a new fishing harbour, capital dredging for deep-draft berths and a modern Seafarers’ Club. Mormugao Port has become India’s first Green Port and the first to introduce Green Ship Incentives. Sonowal also congratulated the Goa Government on establishing the Goa Institute of Maritime Excellence (GIME), describing it as a future centre of excellence for maritime education, inland waterways training, vessel operations, safety, water sports and skill development.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
