Union Minister for Road Transport &Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Capital Dredging of Navigational Channel at Cruise Berth at Mormugaon Port in Goa on Friday. Speaking on the occasion he said Mormugao is going to be the first port in the country with a draft of 19.5 metres.

On completion of dredging of the navigational channel, a 1,85,000 tonne vessel will be able to embark in the port. The present capacity of the port can accommodate only an 80,000 tonne vessel. Shri Gadkari informed that for development of any port a draft of 18 metre is essential.

With this, the economy of the state will get a major thrust.The minister further said that in order to transport goods from Goa to Hospet in Karnataka via road and rail, the government intends to double the rail track.

Goa Chief Minister Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, South Goa MP Shri Narendra Sawaikar, MPT Chairman Shri Jaikumar, Additional Solicitor General Pinki Anand were also present on the occasion.