PANAJI
A bout five companies have shown interest in the Goa government’s Rs 5,790-crore International Convention Centre“cum“Convention Hotel project at Dona Paula. The project had been scrapped two years ago.
The centre, which will be able to host 5,000 delegates, will come up on 2.84 lakh sq metres of government land. It will be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The last date to submit bids is February 2.
Director (PPP) Rajan Satardekar said five companies have already taken part in the pre-bid meeting. “There is still time till February 2 for bid submission,” he said.
The idea of a convention centre was first proposed over 15 years ago after Goa was named the permanent venue for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The earlier plan covered 1 lakh sq metres and was estimated to cost Rs 540 crore, but it failed to take off even after two tender attempts.
As per the new request for proposals (RFP), the project now includes a full MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) complex, a 300-room convention hotel, and a four-screen multiplex with a total seating capacity of at least 800.
The plan also includes a concert and events ground that can host up to 30,000 people, making it one of the largest event venues in the region.
The project will also have other facilities allowed under planning rules. It is expected to boost tourism, create jobs and improve the State’s economy.
The current plan is based on a study prepared by transaction advisers Knight Frank in November 2020.
