OLD GOA
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has said talks are going in the right direction as far as providing facilities at Old Goa under PRASAD scheme.
Speaking to reporters after a review meeting by Khaunte along with departments concerned and Old Goa church officials, Khaunte informed that the PRASAD scheme was constituted to provide all components for the Old Goa churches in terms of infrastructure support, mobility, information counter, toilets, etc.
“These are required to complement the heritage structures and we need to be ready to cater to the increase in the number of tourists visiting Old Goa,” Khaunte stated.
“At today’s meeting, the main aim was to take along all stakeholders, all departments concerned, and to speak to the priests and to present them the way forward under PRASAD scheme.”
“A presentation was made at the first meeting. They have given their inputs, suggestions which would be discussed along with the consultants. We will seat again and then we will think about the way forward,” Khaunte said, while expressing happiness that things are moving in the right direction.
“I have personally pursued with ASI, NMA and all Central commissions with the support of Union Tourism Minister Kishan Reddy and CM Pramod Sawant to get all permissions,” he further added.
Khaunte further informed that the main focus was on the 2024 Exposition when people from all over the world will visit Old Goa.
“The whole world will come here for the Exposition and we don’t want to fall short,” he informed.
“We want to be ready in all terms to give the best feeling for the pilgrims for the Exposition and otherwise as tourists who come to take blessings of Goencho Saib,” the minister said.
