Goa tourism gets `100-cr infra push from Centre

PANAJI rTourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar on Friday announced the allotment of `100 crore to Goa by the Union Ministry for Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. r“Goa has been allotted funds under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme to the tune of Rs 100 crore for the development of coastal circuits. This is the second allotment of Central Financial Assistance within one year. It will give a big boost to our plans of improving tourism infrastructure under coastal circuits both in North and South Goa,” Azgaonkar said in a statement released to the media. rThe Swadesh Darshan scheme is envisaged under the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of the Ministry of Tourism with the aim to fund projects that fall under the gamut of touristic potential due to their history, heritage, cultural importance as well as innovation. rThe Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by the Department of Tourism under the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) made a detailed presentation before the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee headed by Secretary Tourism Rashmi Verma following which the project was approved under Phase II for Coastal Circuit Development in the State. r“Goa Tourism will continue to work towards conceptualizing new plans and projects and will try and tap financial assistance schemes for tourism projects in Goa,” Azgaonkar added. rWhile the initial allotment of `100 crore under Phase I for Coastal Circuit Development is being utilized for developing the coastal belt in North Goa from Sinquerim to Keri, the phase II allotment of `100 crore will be utilized for developing the South Goa coastline from Panjim to Palolem. rProjects have been envisaged all along the South Goa coastline. However, some of the key coastal areas attracting major footfalls, which will get a facelift through the coastal circuit development plan include Dona Paula, Miramar, Colva, Benaulim and Palolem. rSome of the components include providing basic amenities of toilets, lighting, tourist facilitation centers, CCTVs, GIS systems, beautification etc. rAzgaonkar said that he will call for a meeting of all tourism stakeholders including sarpanchas of all coastal village panchayats and authorities concerned to identify areas for setting up of toilets, changing rooms and other public utility facilities at various beaches on topmost priority. rGTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral acknowledged the effort by officials of his department to secure the funds. “The officials of GTDC and the SPV Cell year-long efforts have earned us another `100 crore CFA funding for tourism. This is due to the tireless efforts of the officials and engineers of the GTDC and SPV of the Corporation,” Cabral said. r“Proposals for developing river circuits, spiritual circuits and heritage and tribal rcircuits will also be submitted to CFA at the Centre,” he radded.