The proposed river cruise circuit along South Goa’s Sal River, which was expected to boost tourism and infrastructure in the region, is now shrouded in uncertainty. Despite the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) suggesting the plan during a meeting on February 10, Goa’s Minister for Ports, Aleixo Sequeira, has confirmed that there are no clear plans or communications regarding the project.
Sequeira’s comments, delivered in a written submission to the Goa Legislative Assembly, raise questions about the viability of the initiative.According to Sequeira, although the proposal was discussed during the Inland Waterways Development Council meeting and a river cruise tourism video conference, the state’s Ports Department has yet to receive any formal communication or detailed project report (DPR) from the IWAI. In his submission, Sequeira stated that no concrete commitments have been made by the state government regarding the river cruise plan. The lack of clarity has raised doubts about the future of the proposal, which initially promised to enhance the state’s tourism offerings.
The IWAI had outlined plans to develop a river cruise circuit connecting Cavelossim, Betul Fort, and Betul Lighthouse, with the installation of three floating jetties along the route. However, the proposal to extend the circuit along the Mapusa River—connecting Britona Jetty to Aldona Jetty—has been dropped, as the area was deemed to lack sufficient tourist appeal. This shift in focus has added to the uncertainty surrounding the broader initiative.Further complicating the situation, Sequeira highlighted that the government of Goa did not express specific viewpoints during the online meetings hosted by the IWAI, leaving little to no indication of official backing for the project. The absence of state-level engagement or any significant feedback from the government is worrying, especially as the initiative could potentially contribute to both economic growth and sustainable tourism in the region.
The river cruise project had the potential to position Goa as a leading destination for eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, capitalising on its natural river routes and unique landscapes. With such plans now hanging in the balance, it is unclear whether the proposed river cruise initiative will proceed or if alternative measures will be explored to support Goa’s tourism sector.As of now, the IWAI’s proposal remains a distant possibility, and unless further discussions and clear plans materialise, the future of the river cruise project for Goa looks uncertain. Without a detailed project report or specific commitments from the state, the dream of enhancing Goa’s tourism infrastructure through river cruises may remain just that—a dream. The government’s next steps will likely determine whether this potential tourism boost will be realised or abandoned.
