PERNEM
Parsekar was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for works on improving different tourism spots in Pernem taluka.
Others present at the function included Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, officials from Goa Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
“Morjim, Ashwen-Mandrem, Harmal and Keri-Tericol are important beaches in Pernem taluka as far as tourism is concered. There were no parking facilities at this beaches, causing inconvenience to tourists,” said Parsekar.
The works include construction of a traffic island, signages, beautification and illumination from Siolim bridge to Chopdem Junction and construction of parking and public amenities at Ashwem beach.
“Two mini-bridges will also be built at Ashwem-Mandrem and Junaswada,” the chief minister said.
“The State government is keen on improving and augmenting tourism-related infrastructure at all tourism locations in the State. Facilities like parking, better illumination and beautification of the area, construction of toilets and changing rooms and proper accesses will be given top priority. All this will go a long way in catering to the requirements as Goa is a leading tourism destination and is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals to the State,” he said.
The road extending from Siolim bridge which leads to the famous beaches of Morjim, Ashwem, Harmal and Keri is very narrow and poses danger to commuting tourists. The project entails providing proper illumination, footpaths, signages and other facilities which are required for proper connectivity and safety.
As part of this beautification project, the tourism department will develop the road junction and provide amenities such as footpaths on either side of the road of around 2 meters, improvement to geometrics and widening of the road to 8.5 meters, illumination of the road and footpath, providing road signages ant providing a traffic island at the site.
Other works proposed to be undertaken include development of the main approach road of the Siolim Bridge upto the Chopdem junction, development of Chopdem junction towards Morjim and development works from Chopdem junction up to the Panchayat at a combined cost of ` 5 crore.
The second part of the project includes construction of parking and public amenities at Ashwem beach. The tourism dept has taken up the major task of providing the requisite facilities spread over an area of 1,442 sq metres.
