Special group to develop Goa as logistics hub: CM (Herald)

Special group to develop Goa as logistics hub: CM September 26, 2013 TEAM HERALD PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has announced forming a Special Logistics Group to develop Goa as a logistics hub, which will help the State to frame the appropriate action plan. “Logistics development will be our priority. The special group comprising of four to five members can work out a roadmap to develop the State into a logistic hub,” he said while addressing a Logistics Summit organized by CII Goa Chapter in the capital Wednesday. Parrikar spoke about better connectivity in Goa through adequate bridges as about 14 bridges have been constructed during his current tenure. He expressed reservations on the demand to have Maritime Board. He has called the proposal for laying double line track by SWR between Londa (Karnataka) to Vasco a scam. “They (SWR) wanted to mine ore in Karnataka and transport it through railway and export it using MPT. I have raised objections to this proposal. It is a scam,” he said. He said he is waiting for the LS elections so that he would allow the double line only after change of the government at the Centre. Speaking about concepts like Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO) introduced by the KRCL, he opined it needs to be expanded further. “The trucks in this concept are loaded on the railway and ferried from Karnataka to Maharashtra via Goa. This saves them from using the road infrastructure,” he said, claiming that he introduced this concept during his earlier tenure as CM . Earlier, speaking to Herald, Chairman, SCA Group Tushar Jani said their main aim is to bring Goa under the logistics on pan-India basis citing the State’s potential to become an important player in this sector. “Goa has a potential to become an important player for the logistics in terms of the infrastructure, port, airport, cargo connectivity and mainly since Goa has done excellent in the hospitality sector, it can do the same for logistics industry also,” he said. Parrikar said in 5 to 7 years, Goa can achieve 30 to 40% of the vision making it as a gateway for multi model. “The iron ore industry is at a standstill now, so this is a good opportunity to invest in logistics infrastructure,” he added. Chairman of CII National Committee on Shipping, B Sridhar said teir recommendation to govt is to explore the possibility to set up Skills Development Centre for logistics professions. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Special-group-to-develop-Goa-as-logistics-hub-CM/79908.html