The Goa government is initiating the transition of the captain of ports department into a state maritime board, as announced by Ports Minister Digambar Kamat on Sunday. This change is in line with the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which mandates all states to implement its provisions. Kamat noted that the government is currently drafting the necessary rules to establish the maritime board, which will eventually replace the captain of ports once officially notified.
Kamat emphasized that until the new maritime board is constituted, the captain of ports will continue to operate. The announcement coincided with the postponement of the inauguration of a new captain of ports terminal in the state capital, originally scheduled for Monday. This delay is attributed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s unavailability, with officials stating that a new date will be announced soon.
Former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes raised concerns regarding the legality of the inauguration, citing discrepancies in government procedures. He pointed out that the Indian Ports Act, 2025, supersedes the colonial-era legislation, necessitating that port management be under the new maritime board’s jurisdiction. Gomes argued that proceeding with the inauguration would not comply with the law.
The new terminal, developed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, has faced multiple delays since its construction began before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rs 49 crore project features a three-story design resembling a ship, covering a total area of 4,405 square meters along the Mandovi riverfront.
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