Team Herald
PANJIM: The construction of a ropeway connecting Panjim to picturesque Reis Magos village is likely to begin this month-end with Tourism department to select the builder on Wednesday.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said the department has simultaneously moved the concerned authorities, including CCP to obtain necessary permission.
“The department received bids from three companies. The tourism board meeting on Wednesday will select the lowest bidder that will fit in the project requirements. The construction should begin this month,” he said.
Tourism officials have also received a few project designs, based on Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer basis. Last year, the department had floated an e-tender inviting applications for the project. While the process is on, a senior tourism official said that the design draft will be shared with CCP, Reis Magos Panchayat, comunidade and other concerned authorities for their views and suggestions.
According to the proposal, the completion of the aerial river tramway project will take 12 to 18 months. It will have a capacity to carry 30 and 40 cable cars transporting 1,000-odd passengers to the Reis Magos Fort from Campal.
Meanwhile, the long-wait for multi-level car parking is expected to end on January 26, Republic Day. “The work at multi-level car parking facility is near to completion with only lift to be set up, and tiling of the exterior portion and painting to be carried out,” Parulekar said.
On another stranded project, the Tourism department is confident to get Rs 200 crore from the Centre to start construction on the terminal at Santa Monica jetty.
The State has estimated the cost at around Rs 550 crore for construction of the jetty and terminal that will comprise lounge, eatery outlets and other entertainment areas. The approval of the partial amount comes after an inspection by the Union ministry.
