Project discussions and commitments
At the two sessions, "Solar Rising" and "Maritime Horizons: Shipping, Ports & Dredging," SARC asked each participant to identify one requirement from the government and one commitment from their organization. Gupta said SARC would consolidate the responses and follow up on implementation. Participants included public-sector companies, developers and financial institutions.
The discussions followed the opening-day "Invest in Goa" session on October 29, when proposals totaling around Rs 10,000 crore were presented, according to FinTech BizNews. Covering data centers and artificial intelligence, an integrated sports city and underground LPG storage, the proposals are expected to create about 10,000 jobs for Goans. All remain under discussion with the Goa government.
Solar expansion and financing needs
Goa Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar chaired the solar roundtable, with Gupta moderating. Participants cited a gap between the state's roughly 100 MW of renewable energy capacity at the end of August 2026 and evening peak electricity demand exceeding 800 MW.
Goa's longer-term target is 1.5 GW of renewable energy generation by 2029-30, The Navhind Times reported. Power Minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar said the state also aims to install 65 MW of rooftop solar across 21,200 installations by March 2027 under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. As of September 2026, completed installations numbered 3,568, with 29.32 MW of capacity, meeting only about 45% of the capacity target.
The roundtable examined solar panels on rooftops, reservoirs and canals, alongside battery storage and pumped storage. Participants called for projects to proceed in phases, with safeguards for drinking water and dam safety. They also identified payment security and dependable financing arrangements as requirements for attracting private capital.
"Goa buys most of its power from outside the state, while its roofs, reservoirs and canals take in sunshine every day. Turning that sunshine into clean power is one of the clearest business opportunities in Goa today," Gupta said.
Port growth, dredging and water transport
The maritime session examined investment needs across Mormugao Port, inland waterways, dredging, ship repair, dry-docking and logistics, including opportunities for local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Goa Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho chaired the discussion, moderated by SARC Global Senior Partner Chandra Sekhar Akula.
Panelists were Capt. S. Divakar, managing director and CEO of Dredging Corporation of India; Ragam Kishore, CEO of Vizag Seaport; R. Jayachandran, managing director of RKEC Projects; and Sudeep Bhatia, CFO of NIIF Infrastructure Finance Limited.
Figures cited at the session showed Mormugao Port handling about 21 million metric tons of cargo in fiscal 2025-26, up 16%. Cargo carried on the Mandovi and Zuari waterways increased from 2.84 million to 5.13 million metric tons, while Goa Shipyard's revenue reached Rs 4,004 crore in FY26.
Mormugao's cargo growth was the fastest among India's 12 major ports, according to an April 11, 2026, release from the Press Information Bureau. Across those ports, cargo volumes rose 7.14%, from 854 million metric tons to 915 million metric tons in fiscal 2025-26. Mormugao Port Authority also posted Rs 583 crore in operating income, its highest in five years, and commissioned a 3 MWp solar power plant among its completed infrastructure projects that year.
Panelists considered how to plan dredging over the long term, develop suppliers for shipbuilding and expand barge cargo and roll-on/roll-off services. They also discussed linking Mormugao Port, Mopa Airport, waterways and rail infrastructure through an integrated logistics network.
The proposed Goa Water Metro was another focus. A feasibility report delivered to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in May 2026 set out a Rs 3,146-crore proposal prepared by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, The Times of India reported. The plan identifies eight feasible river routes spanning 111 kilometers, with 87 vessels and 32 ferry terminals. Its estimated overall economic internal rate of return is 15.83%.
Gupta said investment in Goa's ports, rivers and shipyard would require long-term planning and projects structured to secure financing. "Goa's port, rivers and shipyard are growing faster than most in India. What investors now need is depth planned over years, a supplier base around the shipyard, and projects prepared well enough for lenders to finance," he said.
AI roundtable to close the summit
The Vibrant Goa Foundation is organizing the October 29-31 summit with the Government of Goa at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa University, Taleigao. SARC is the curator, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is the Power Partner, and NBCC (India) Limited is the Infrastructure Partner.
The summit is scheduled to conclude on October 31 with SARC's AI and Data Roundtable. Topics include AI applications for tourism and small businesses, cyber resilience, readiness for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and efforts to position Goa as an AI-ready state.
