With Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and other states rolling out logistics policies, the government needs to quickly implement its own policy if it aims to put Goa on the global supply-chain map, said Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).
With Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and other states rolling out logistics policies, the government needs to quickly implement its own policy if it aims to put Goa on the global supply-chain map, said Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).
GCCI said that Goa has the unique opportunity to act as a link between Northern and Southern India, but the existing infrastructural gaps pose a hindrance.
These observations were made by the industry body in its recommendations regarding the draft State Logistics Policy-2023, which needs to be in line with the National Logistics Policy 2022.
The draft policy had come up for discussion at the recent Goa Investment Promotion Board meeting where industry bodies were asked for their input.
While calling for a three-pronged strategy that focuses on formulation, implementation, and periodic revision of the Goa State Logistics Policy, GCCI has also outlined infrastructural hurdles that need to be addressed.
“Goa does not have a dedicated office for handling logistics-related issues. A state-level authority on logistics will be of great help to cater to different problems as a single window. The same office may also set up an export facilitation centre which would be responsible for the taking up issues of the exporters related to supply chain and logistics of the export cargo,” said chairman of GCCI’s logistics committee Chandrakant Gawas.
Gawas pointed out that the Harbour Mobile Crane (HMC) at Mormugao Port has been out of service since 2020, and despite assurances that a new crane will be mobilised on a revenue-sharing model, nothing has happened.
“Due to the breakdown, the container services are at standstill, which has resulted in the diversion of cargo to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai creating an extra load on road traffic. The crane is essential to boost the volume of container cargo at the port,” said Gawas.
GCCI has also pointed out that the national highway connectivity with Karnataka through Chorla ghat and Anmod ghat is in bad shape and needs to be urgently repaired.
Exporters from Belagavi are forced to export through Mumbai which is more expensive and time-consuming, said Gawas.
GCCI president Ralph de Sousa pointed out that Manohar International Airport at Mopa lacks a Temperature Control Warehouse and an APEDA-approved pack house.
“Development of an APEDA-approved pack house under the Gati Shakti scheme will bring considerable relief to exporters,” said GCCI in its recommendations.
GCCI has also called for a proper truck terminus, dredging of the major rivers, upgradation of ferry ramps, and fishing jetties.
