Belagavi: Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) President Ms. Pratima Dhond has called for stronger economic cooperation between Goa and North Karnataka, proposing the creation of a Goa-Belagavi economic corridor to strengthen trade, industry and business connectivity between the two regions.
Dhond was the Chief Guest at the Installation Ceremony of the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BCCI), which marked the formal induction of its newly elected governing board under the leadership of incoming President Shri Swapnil Shah.
GCCI Director General Shri Sanjay Amonkar also represented the Goa chamber at the event.
Strengthening Goa-Belagavi Business Ties
Addressing the gathering, Dhond highlighted the geographical proximity and strong economic relationship between Goa and North Karnataka.
She praised BCCI’s more than five-decade legacy of bringing together trade, industry and government and appreciated its recent initiatives, including the BELEX 2026 Industrial Expo, interventions related to trade licensing and E-Aasthi issues, labour law seminars, GST awareness programmes and initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs and traditional artisans.
A key concern raised by the GCCI President was the prolonged disruption and restrictions affecting commercial traffic along the Anmod Ghat route.
According to Dhond, restrictions and structural delays are forcing commercial vehicles to take longer alternative routes through Karwar or Chorla Ghat. This is resulting in increased transportation costs, freight backlogs and supply-chain disruptions.
The impact is particularly significant for the movement of perishable goods, agricultural produce and essential manufacturing raw materials between Belagavi’s industrial sector and Goa’s processing units.
Dhond called for a joint representation to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the governments of Goa and Karnataka to expedite the completion of the NH-4A highway and facilitate the restoration of regulated heavy freight movement.
Concerns Over Interstate Vehicle Challans
Dhond also highlighted concerns over frequent border enforcement issues and challaning of non-local private vehicles travelling between Goa and Karnataka.
Business executives, daily commuters and tourists, she said, can face administrative difficulties while travelling between the neighbouring states.
To address the issue, she proposed a streamlined digital interstate clearance protocol and a joint grievance cell involving transport authorities from both states.
Such a mechanism, she said, could help legitimate commuters resolve issues more efficiently while reducing unnecessary administrative hurdles.
Proposal for Joint Economic Framework
Looking beyond immediate transport concerns, Dhond proposed the creation of a joint GCCI-BCCI coordination framework.
The proposed framework could facilitate stronger B2B connections, encourage digital transformation and support advocacy for policies that benefit businesses across both regions.
Dhond emphasised that economic growth in Goa and Belagavi can complement each other, given their geographical proximity and interconnected commercial interests.
She also assured the newly elected BCCI leadership of GCCI’s full cooperation and expressed confidence that stronger institutional collaboration could help build a thriving and interconnected Goa-Belagavi economic corridor.
The call comes at a time when improving regional connectivity, reducing logistics costs and strengthening interstate business cooperation remain important priorities for industries operating across Goa and Karnataka.
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