PANAJI
In a first affirmative action after the controversial nationalisation of Goa's rivers, the Centre on Thursday issued a no-objection certificate to a Mumbai-based company to set up a 'private jetty' at Malim on the northern bank of the Mandovi river.
The company, Mumbai-based Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited has been permitted to set up the jetty with a capacity to berth up to 16 yachts and other crafts of up to 30 meters length.
According to the NOC which was issued by the 'Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)' the investment by the company is pegged at Rs 8 crore. It was issued through the authority's digital portal.
When it does come up, it will be Goa's first private jetty.
The NoC was handed over to the company's representatives by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal at an event where the IWAI digital portal aimed at attracting private investment and simplifying approvals in inland water transport. was also launched.
According to an official statement issued by IWAI, the private jetty at Malim will have facilities for docking and undocking for each trip and is expected to boost river cruise tourism along the Mandovi river waterway.
Interestingly, the NOC granted for setting up a private jetty at Malim to Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited is the first issued digitally to any private entity for construction of a terminal on any national waterway in the country.
The clearance has been given under the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025.
These regulations permit private players to build and operate such terminals in Indian waterways. Under these new regulations, the NOCs can be issued for both temporary as well as permanent infrastructure whether existing or new.
'Nationalisation' of Goa's rivers had kicked up a major row in the State with the Opposition accusing the BJP State government then led by the late Manohar Parrikar of surrendering the State's authority over its inland rivers to the Centre. In response to the uproar, Parrikar had then claimed that the nationalisation of rivers only gave Goa's rivers "national importance" while control remained with the State government.
More recently in August last year, the Opposition had disrupted a day's proceedings during the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, accusing the BJP government of "selling Goa's rivers" to the Centre and sacrificing the State's interests.
The National Waterways Act, 2016, had declared six of Goa’s rivers as national waterways.
