PANAJI
Barely three years after its grand reopening, the iconic Dona Paula jetty is set for another round of redevelopment.
Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate said on Friday that work will begin on Monday under the Tourism Department.
Temporary stalls put up by local vendors will be replaced with permanent shops. Seventy-six vendors, many of whom have been operating at the site since 1985, will be allotted permanent stalls, Monserrate said.
He added that the move aims to improve facilities at the jetty and provide long-term security to traditional stall operators.
The jetty was reopened in February 2023 after a major renovation and remained closed for nearly five years from November 2018 due to safety concerns and repair work.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had carried out the renovation, which included upgraded facilities and the introduction of a notified entry fee of Rs 50 per adult for tourists, while locals were exempted.
The Dona Paula jetty, one of Goa’s most visited tourist spots, has long been a symbol of the State’s coastal appeal. However, repeated closures and redevelopment works have raised concerns over planning and sustainability.
Officials said the latest project will modernise the site and address vendors’ concerns, while activists argued that frequent overhauls reflect poor planning and lack of long-term vision.
