the goan I network
PANAJI
North Goa beaches and especially those in constituencies of interest to cabinet minister Michael Lobo and GTDC chairman Dayanand Sopte have got more attention under central tourism scheme -- Swadesh Darshan.
Goa received around Rs 200 crores from the central government for two coastal circuits i.e circuit I and Circuit II. Most of this money has been spent on North Goa beach areas, with some works done in Colva and Benaulim. Under Goa Coastal Circuit I, around rupees 100 crores has been utilised for the development of beaches at Calangute, Anjuna, Junaswada, Ashwem, and Mandrem. Money has been also utilised for the development of Morjim Khind, up gradation and improvement of the helipad at Fort Aguada and developing Aguada jail as a tourist destination.
Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Prahlad Singh Patel while inaugurated some projects said that Goa is the only State which has fully utilised funds provided by the central government. The government has planned to build a mini-convention centre at Patto-Panaji and to upgrade the Aguada jail.
Under Goa coastal circuit II, another rupees 100 crore has been utilised to develop areas like Rua De Orum Creek, Dona Paula, Colva, Benaulim have been developed.
-- Tourism App to
guide tourists --
With the use of funds under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Goa has developed a Goa Tourism App to provide touristic information including emergency services to tourists. The app will have a 360 degrees view of tourism destinations in the State.
Tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar while pressing for more funds also demanded with the central minister for amendments in CRZ and other rules, stating that these rules are being misused by some environmentalist to oppose basic development projects in beach areas.
CM Pramod Sawant said that government is mulling to amend some laws to boost medical tourism in the State. Stating that Goa has seen ill effects of many businesses that have been taken over by people from outside, Sawant asked Goans to come forward to work in the tourism sector.
Lobo said the casino industry is an added attraction for tourists, especially newly married couple who come to Goa. “I am not promoting casinos but we should understand that casinos attract tourists to Goa.”
