Proposal to nationalise Goa’s inland waterways

The inland waterways of Goa may soon be nationalised if the state government gives a green signal to a proposal put forward by the National Waterways Authority of India (NWAI). Senior NWAI officials were in Goa to hold discussions with the Goa government on nationalising the inland waterways, especially Mandovi and Zuari rivers, frequently used by iron ore barges to transport minerals. “It is for the state government to decide on nationalisation and the proposal would not be thumped on them,” NWAI Chairman S P Gaur said in an event organised by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) here yesterday.

If the proposal goes through, Goa’s waters would be the fifth in the country to be nationalised and developed by the central agency. Goan waterways are used by 1,000-odd barges besides shipping trawlers and passenger ferry boats on daily basis.