Efforts to establish a world-class maritime cluster for ship designers and builders in Goa have faced setbacks, with a 14,380sqm facility in Verna remaining unused due to the absence of necessary machinery. Previous attempts to procure essential equipment earlier this year were unsuccessful due to regulatory obstacles. The directorate of industries, trade, and commerce is making a fresh effort to kickstart the project, which was initiated in 2020 under the Konkan Maritime Cluster. Despite government promises of creating 3,000 jobs through the cluster, no significant orders have been executed yet.
The Konkan Maritime Cluster, part of the Sagarmala program launched in 2018, aims to boost the maritime industry in Goa. However, delays in acquiring machinery have hindered progress, with a recent tender for equipment scrapped due to issues. The cluster, supported by 49 Goan enterprises and led by Mandovi Drydocks and Vijai Marine Shipyard, is crucial for the state’s economic development. The Covid-19 pandemic and legal challenges from private partners have further delayed the project.
Government officials have been reluctant to disclose details of the delays, attributing them to various factors such as legal disputes and the pandemic. The Verna Industrial Estate, where the cluster is being established, will be the first MSME cluster in Goa once operational. Despite the setbacks, efforts are ongoing to secure the necessary machinery and move the project forward to realize its potential in generating employment and boosting the maritime industry in the region.
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