We want to develop Goa as a logistics hub: Chief Minister Parrikar

Panaji, Sept 25: The Goa government today decided to constitute a special group to prepare a roadmap for developing the coastal state into a logistics hub.

State's Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the group would comprise 4-5 members and prepare an action plan to develop Goa into a logistics hub by cashing on advantages like all-weather ports. He was addressing the concluding function of the day-long seminar on logistics organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Goa Chapter.

Development of the State as a logistics nerve centre would be a priority for his Government, Parrikar said, adding that Goa was one of the most well-connected States with adequate infrastructure. Concepts like Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO), introduced by Konkan Railway Corp, needs to be expanded further, he said.

Under RORO, trucks are loaded on goods trains and ferried from Karnataka to Maharashtra via Goa, saving them from using the road infrastructure. Referring to his objection to doubling rail track by South Western Railway between Londa (Karnataka) and Vasco (Goa), Parrikar said the proposal smacked of a "scam".

"They wanted to mine ore in Karnataka and transport it through rail and export it using Mormugao Port Trust (in Goa)," he said.

PTI