the goan I network
PANAJI
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, will be officially launching Drishti Marine’s inland ferry service today. Gadkari will unveil a plaque and launch the ferry service at Airport Ferry Terminal (AFT)-Baina, Vasco.
The launch will also witness the presence of Urban Development Minister Francis D’souza, Minister for Public Works Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai, Tourism Minister Manohar ‘Babu’ Ajgaonkar, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Mauvin Godinho and a number of MLAs like Michael Lobo, Alina Saldanha and Nilesh Cabral.
G Ravi Shankar, chief executive officer, Drishti Marine, said, “Yes, Gadkari will be officially launching the ferry service on March 20. As of now, we are providing ferry service from AFT to Panaji to Old Goa route and also from AFT to Panaji to Sinquerim route.”
So far Drishti Marine has not got local panchayat approval to put up a jetty in Sinquerim.
Shankar said, “We have got a Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) approval to put up a jetty in Sinquerim. We are hopeful that we will get the local panchayat approval for the same before monsoons this year.”
“In the meanwhile, we are taking passengers from Verem to Sinquerim by local boats,” Shankar continued.
The link to Sinquerim is very crucial for the business model of Drishti Marine’s ferry service. This is because most tourists arriving in Goa head to the beach belt of Baga to Sinquerim.
Meanwhile, Drishti Marine has made arrangements to bring the passengers by bus from Dabolim Airport to AFT at Baina.
SERVICE ROUTES
From Airport Ferry Terminal (AFT)-Baina to Panaji to Old Goa
And also from AFT-Baina to Panaji to Sinquerim
AWAITING A NOD
FROM PANCHAYAT
So far Drishti Marine has not got local panchayat approval to put up a jetty in Sinquerim.
Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) approval obtained
Drishti hopeful of getting local panchayat approval before the monsoons this year
