The Hot Air Balloon and Amphibious Vessel, in addition to new tourism projects were inaugurated today in Goa at the hands of Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa , in the distinguished presence of Shri. Dilip Parulekar, Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Goa, Shri. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman GTDC and other dignitaries.
The inauguration of the much awaited tourism projects and services got off to a historic start this morning with a colourful flag off to the Hot Air Balloon at Campal Ground in Panjim. The Cameroon 180 will be part of the hot air balloon fleet that will be in operation in Goa taking tourists atop Goa’s picturesque landscaping and offering spectacular areal displays of the State’s tourism sites. The Hot Air Balloon venture plans to cover the entire State of Goa in the months to come. This adventure project will be operated by Camping Retreats of India Pvt. Ltd, Delhi based agency well known for its high standards of security, safety and customer service in conduct of tiger balloon safaris in India and abroad.
This was followed by the unveiling of the first of its kind in India for civilian use, Amphibious Vessels. This new venture is all set to give tourists a thrilling experience in Goa’s inland waterways, with tours to the State’s backwaters, crocodile dandies, bird watching trips and more. The 33-seater passenger vessels can operate both on land and sea and will operate throughout Goa in over seven routes across five talukas. The vessels are manufactured in Goa by Amphibious Design India.
Shri. Parsekar thereafter inaugurated Paryatan Bhavan at Patto, which houses offices of the Goa Tourism Department and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). During the day, Shri. Manohar Parrikar, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Govt. of India along with Goa Chief Minister Shri. Parsekar and Tourism Minister Shri. Parulekar inaugurated various other tourism projects which included the Mega Tourism Circuit Development pathway from O-Coqueiro Circle to Amrekarnath Temple, Mega Tourism Circuit Development and Beautification along Saligao-Mapusa Road, and Beautification of Saligao Traffic Island.
The Hon’ble Union Raksha Mantri, Shri. Manohar Parrikar hailed the government in the State for giving tourism in Goa a new dimension and taking it to greater heights. “Goa is known for its beaches, churches, temples, event and festivals. Today it has gone a step further with the introduction of new adventure activities that will draw tourists to Goa in large numbers,” Shri Parrikar said. “I congratulate the chief minister and tourism minister for the initiatives that will surely make Goa a leading tourism destination both in the country and world,” he said. Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar said, “Goa is determined to give tourists the best services and projects here in the State which will make them think of Goa when they want to plan a vacation.”
Tourism Minister Shri. Dilip Parulekar said, “It is a proud moment for Goa Tourism today as we have launched new projects and services in the State, both in terms of infrastructure, and innovative activities. This is the need of the hour for Goa Tourism as it wants its ventures to increase and grow every passing year so that tourists are attracted to the State and will come more often and increase their duration of stay.” “Within the next few months many more new activities will be introduced and so will tourism development infrastructure projects be undertaken,” he said.
Highlights of Tourism Development Projects Inaugurated
Name of The Work- Road side Beautification and Electrification of Saligao Parra Road
Total cost of the project :Rs 3.61 crore
Consultant- M/s Lotus Environments, Pune and Contractor- Bagkiya Constructions Pvt. Lts, Porvorim
The Project comprises of the following:
- a) Pathway of 2.85 m width for 1.30 kms, with landscaping, horticulture, benches for seating ,development of open areas for public utility and service conduits
- b) Illumination to the Saligao junction and road leading to Parra for a length of 1.4 kms on both
Name of the project- Beautification of Saligao Road Pathway & Beautification of Traffic Island
Total cost of the project :Rs. 4.32 crore.
Consultant- M/s Lotus Environments, Pune and Contractor- Bagkiya Constructions Pvt. Lts, Porvorim
The project comprises of the following:
The project basically comprises of construction of a new traffic island at the Saligao- Parra. Calangute Road junction to facilitate smooth flow of increasing traffic. Also, pathways in all four directions which have play areas and aesthetic electrification to light up the area.
Name of the project: Construcion of Tourist Information Plaza at Patto Panaji.
(Paryatan Bhavan)
Total cost of the project : Rs. 22 Cr.
Consultant- M/s Lotus Environments, Pune and Contractor: M/s R. B. S Candiaparcar
The Project comprises of the following:
The constructed building houses offices of the Goa Tourism Deaprtment and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). A conference hall, information center, recreation center for staff, SPV Engineering Cell office of GTDC, an office for India Tourism, immigration bureau office, tourism security force office, GTDC transport cell and GTDC Surveillance Monitoring Unit are provided in the building.
An office for Shri. Manohar Parrikar, Hon’ble Union Raksha Mantri and an office for Shri. Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon,ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy have also been provided in this building.
The total area of this project is 3300 sqmt and constructed floor area in each floor is 1100sqmt.
Name of the Project:- Construction of pathway from O’Coqueiro Circle to Amrekarnath Temple.
Total cost of the project :Rs 4.88 crore.
Consultant- M/s Lotus Environments, Pune and Contractor- Bagkiya Constructions Pvt. Lts, Porvorim
The Project comprises of the following:
- 3 mts Footpath from O’Coqueiro circle to Amrekarnath temple
- Illumination of road from O’Coqueiro circle to Amrekarnath
Temple
- Landscaping, seating other service areas