PANAJI
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation has finalised yet another tourism circuit to be submitted to the Centre for funds under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Speaking to reporters after a review meeting of the project cell of the GTDC, Chairman Nilesh Cabral said that after submitting proposals for two circuits -- the coastal circuit and the religious circuit -- the department has drafted a proposal for a third circuit the river cruise circuit which will begin at Dona Paula jetty go towards Cumbarjua canal via the Mandovi and return via the Zuari back to the Dona Paula jetty.
“We had earlier submitted two circuits seeking Rs 400-500 crore from the central government for development of tourism circuits under the scheme. However at subsequent meetings the final sanctioned amount is around Rs 100 crore for each circuit,” Cabral said.
“We have now finalised a proposal for the river cruise circuit around Rs 100 crore. It will involve development of the Dona Paula jetty as well as existing infrastructure along the river route using central government funds,” he said adding that the proposal will be submitted to the government in the first week of March.
The project envisages creating infrastructure and amenities for tourists along the route and the circuit like repairs of jetties and the like, he said.
The two approved circuits the coastal circuit which runs from the Aguada jail till the Tiracol Fort will see the setting up of beach toilets and changing rooms in 39 blocks along the North Goa coast as well as better lighting and roads, etc with central government funds.
The religious circuit which begins at Old Goa and includes a route that winds through the talukas of Bicholim Ponda and Salcete will see similar development.
“Earlier we tried to set up beach toilets through the PPP mode but there were no takers despite tendering it twice,” Cabral said. He said that this time round the government was sending its proposals to the Centre after obtaining all NOCs from the respective departments like the Captain of Ports, the PWD etc. “The last time (in 2009) the proposals were sent haphazardly as a result of which a lot of sanctioned money was not able to be utilized resulting in it going back,” Cabral said “This time we are following the proper procedure,” he said.
The GTDC has appointed M/s Darashaw & Company Pvt. Ltd. as the lead consultant and the agency has already drawn out a consolidated DPR for the State based on the unified themes after co-ordinating with other empanelled Project Management Consultants (PMCs).
