The Captain of Ports (CoP) Department has directed that all development works in Goa’s inland waters, riverine land and areas falling under non-major ports must obtain prior permission from the department.
In a statement issued on Monday, the department said several development activities have been undertaken along government riverine land, inland waters and areas notified as “port limits” without obtaining the required approvals from the Captain of Ports.
The department clarified that the Captain of Ports is the designated authority for Goa under the provisions of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and the Indian Ports Act, 1908 for non-major ports in the state. It said any development activity in these areas must mandatorily secure permission under the relevant laws in force.
Authorities warned that violations of these provisions will invite strict legal action.
The inland waters under the jurisdiction of the Captain of Ports include canals, rivers and other navigable waters up to five nautical miles from the baseline of the coast. Notified port limits cover the waters of rivers Mandovi, Mapusa, Naroa including the Cumbarjua Canal, Tiracol, Chapora, Sal, Talpona, Galgibag and the Zuari eastward of the Agacaim–Cortalim ferry points.
The directive also applies to infrastructure such as piers, jetties, landing places, wharves, quays, docks, ramps and moorings used for public convenience, traffic movement, vessel safety and the maintenance of ports and their approaches.
The department also stated that any portion of the shore or riverbank within 50 yards of the high water mark will fall under the regulation, even if the property is privately owned.
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