PANJIM: The much delayed under-construction campus of the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) - the only campus in India- at Caranzalem is set to be completed by May 2024. The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who inspected the ongoing work on Monday, admitted that the delay was due to various reasons including two years of Covid-19 pandemic.
Sawant inspected the progress of the ongoing project, which was tendered in 2014 at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore. The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) is the nodal agency for the project.
“The project has been delayed due to various reasons since 2014. The reasons can be attributed to the consultant, contractors, Covid-19 pandemic and lack of co-ordination with the Central agencies,” Sawant said.
“The project will now be completed by May 2024,” he added.
The institute, which is currently handling short-term courses in water sports, will also be imparting BBA, MBA and PhD courses in Tourism and other operations, Sawant told mediapersons.
National Institute of Water Sports being an apex body for licensing leisure water sports in the country, the institute will train water sports operators through various skill developing courses, short term certificate courses and certify the trainees. Every year, more than 2,500 students enroll themselves in these courses. The NIWS was set up at Caranzalem in 1990 and is the only campus of the NIWS in India.
The institute will provide state-of-the-art facilities, training and courses on luxury water sports, wind surfing, dinghy sailing, river rafting, kayaking, water skiing, scuba diving, para-sailing /gliding, rescue, life guards, boat repairs, tourism, management of water sports facilities, etc.
The project also includes a boat house to house various boats, canoes, kayaks, sails, yachts, etc.
After the inspection of the National Water Sports Campus, the Chief Minister also inspected the protection and restoration work being done on the Mandovi coastline. The CM appreciated the efforts of the officials and workers involved in the project.
The work of this project is being carried out with utmost care and precision, and the progress of the project is being monitored regularly.