PANAJI
The tender for the proposed ropeway connecting Vasco to Dona Paula is expected to be finalized this month, with officials from the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) and the Goa Tourism Department scheduled to finalize the project timeline in a meeting this week. A work order will be issued soon after, sources said.
The ropeway, a joint initiative of the MPA and the Tourism Department, is estimated to cost around Rs 400 crore and is targeted for completion by 2028. Stretching approximately 4.6 km, the alignment will cross the Zuari River and link Dona Paula with the Mormugao Port area.
Once complete, the journey between the two points that currently takes about 45 minutes by road will be reduced to 15 minutes.
“The project proposal prepared by the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRRCL) has already been forwarded to the State government for approval. The MPA will house the terminal station at Vasco (Taucem), while the terminal at Dona Paula will fall under the Tourism Department’s jurisdiction,” the source said.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte held discussions with MPA officials last week, with a second joint meeting expected shortly, during which the final project schedule is expected to be confirmed. The tendering process will begin thereafter, followed by the issuance of the work order to IPRRCL.
