Margao: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has urged the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways to defer the proposed inauguration of a newly constructed terminal building as the “Captain of Ports Department” on June 26, objecting to its current designation.In a letter to the Union minister, GPCC president Girish Chodankar said inaugurating the facility under the existing Captain of Ports structure would be a regressive step, especially as the Indian Ports Act, 2025 mandates the setting up of a State Maritime Board.Chodankar pointed out that Goa is the only coastal state without a maritime board and demanded that the new building be designated as the headquarters of the proposed Goa maritime board before any inauguration.The GPCC also called on the Centre to direct the state government to constitute the maritime board with a clear roadmap and operational autonomy as envisaged under the new law.“Goans have waited long enough. Centre must act now — before June 26,” Chodankar said.
