PANAJI
He was speaking after launching the amphibious vehicle, also known as duck boats, which will be used for joy rides from November this year. The rides will initially begin with two vehicles. The vehicle, that can run on both land and water, has been manufactured by Goa-based Amphibious Design (India) Pvt Ltd.
Speaking to mediapersons, Parsekar said, “Many domestic as well as foreign tourists are flocking to Goa mainly during holidays and especially during the weekends. When they are in Goa, we should provide them with various facilities so that when they return, they can take back a good image of Goa along with them. This concept has been introduced for the first time in the country. Many states were making efforts for the same, but only Goa emerged successful. This will provide a thrilling experience to tourists.”
After the launch, the Chief Minister along with Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral, Panaji MLA Sidharth Kuncalienkar and others personally experienced the premiere ride in River Mandovi. Interestingly, none of the passengers wore any life jackets during the ride.
Each ride will be for an hour, and six time slots will be scheduled for each vehicle in a day. The maximum capacity for each vehicle is 32 seats that will be charged at Rs 500 per head to begin with, and will later be increased to Rs 750. Circuit tours will operate from Panaji to Old Goa and Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary.
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For CM, it was a thrilling experience!
After experiencing a joy ride in River Mandovi for about 10 minutes, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, “It was a unique and thrilling experience I would say. For me, it was for the first time, and for most of the tourists, they would certainly experience it for the first time as it is the first amphibious bus being introduced in the country.”
“I think the way I have enjoyed, it would be a thrilling experience for all those who take a ride in it,” he said.
