INDIA: Goa Tourism Eyes Rs 500 Crore Central Funds To Develop Tourist Circuits

Goa Tourism is eyeing nearly Rs 500 crore of central government funds under Union Tourism Ministry’s ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme for developing a coastal and a spiritual tourist circuit in the state. A meeting of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Board, held last week, approved a consolidated project that would involve the development of 33 beaches and around 50 spiritual places in the state.

“A representation would be shortly made to the Union Ministry of Tourism to obtain funds for the state under ‘Swadesh Darshan’,” GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said in a statement. The scheme entitles the state to 100 per cent funding if the circuits are approved as per guidelines of the scheme. Goa is eyeing a funding to the tune of Rs 400-500 crore over a period of two years.

As part of the submissions, Goa has proposed works such as setting up of public conveniences at 33 beaches and other works such as road widening, illumination, signages, construction of pathways, footpaths, parking, tourism facilities under coastal circuits in the different talukas of the state.

Similarly, upgradation of public facilities will be taken up at places of worship which are of tourist importance. Beaches in Goa currently lack basic facilities like changing rooms, freshwater showers among other facilities which act as a deterrent to foreign tourists. The GTDC has appointed M/s Darashaw & Company Pvt. Ltd. as the lead consultant and the agency has already drawn out a consolidated project report.

“We are confident of getting the project components under both circuits approved by the Union Ministry for Tourism and funds allocated under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme will give a big boost for development of both beaches and places of worship,” state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said in a statement.

The ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme was announced by the Union Ministry of Tourism earlier this year as a result of budget announcements for development of tourism circuits. It aims at integrated development of theme-based circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergising efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders for a better tourist experience.