Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday gave his approval to set up a water transport corporation in the state which would give a boost to water transport on the 720-km-long coastline of the state. The corporation is expected to start transport, cruise shipping, water sports, roro services and cargo roll-on/roll-off (roro) ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars. It has also been planned to repair and maintain 400 jetties in the state to boost water transport, said officials.
A meeting in this regard headed by the chief minister was held at Mantralaya on Thursday. The officials from finance, urban development and maritime board attended the meeting and discussed the problems related to water transport.
It was also decided that private players should be given jetties for transport purposes. They could repair the jetties and use them for cargo, shipping, roro services, among others, an official from the CMO said. The earlier efforts by the state government to start water transportation had failed miserably, he said. There has been a constant demand to start water transport in Mumbai; however, all plans remained on paper only. However, the government said that it was seriously mulling use of its waterfronts for transportation.
The chief minister has also instructed the departments concerned to conduct a cleanliness drive at every village on the seafront on the lines of Swachch Gram Abhiyan.
He has asked officials to increase public participation in the activity and encourage protection of beaches, water sports and tourism.
He has also approved green energy projects on the ports. Energy from waves, solar energy will be generated at the ports, the official said. For this, the government will invite ideas to generate non-conventional power from natural resources, he added.
The CM and his officials also discussed security and communication aspects at the sea fronts. The government will strengthen its navigation system up to 12 nautical miles in the sea to make possible communication through mobile phones. This will help the police, coast guard and coastal security.
The state also plans to train people in security measures under the Maritime board. It has given an in-principle nod to set up a research institute for coast-related issues, the official said.
