According to a news report in the Herald (Voice of Goa page 5 / July 8, 2015), the finalized consultant was required to carry out the techno-feasibility study on the River Chapora eco-friendly tourism and inland water transport and submit report within three to four months. The consultant should have completed the techno-feasibility assignment by end of November 2015.
River Chapora is proposed to be developed as a national waterway along with the Mandovi, Zuari, Cumbarjua and Sal Rivers in Goa. Therefore, there is a need to know the required linkages and connectivity to the neighbouring states for promoting the River Chapora eco-friendly tourism / inland water transport project and other river front development projects along the Mandovi, Zuari, Cumbarjua and Sal rivers.
The national waterways supporting river front development projects are urbanization projects that have the potential to eliminate traditional water conservation and river control structures of the region and disturb eco-sensitive zones along the river banks. Also, the phase wise short-term and long-term urbanization plans near to the river banks will require implementation of unsustainable new road development/ widening of existing roads for providing connectivity to the national waterways development project. The coastal economic region linked to these urbanization projects will destroy the existing beautiful village settlements and heritage structures in the tiny state of Goa.
It was reported in the Herald (Voice of Goa pg.3 / August 14, 2015) that the tourism master plan consultant has already prepared the draft tourism master plan. Is the draft tourism master plan based on any approved tourism policy specific for Goa? What type of tourism projects are proposed in the 30-years draft Goa tourism master plan? Where are all these tourism projects located in Goa? Why are the draft spatial plans defining different tourism zones of the tourism master plan kept hidden?
There is an interesting final pre-feasibility report for river front development project at Mangalore. In the road and rail connectivity maps of Mangalore, Panjim and Madgaon are shown in Karnataka State! This maps also highlight the minor ports between Karwar and Mangalore and shows the alignment of a major highway road from coastal Karnataka to Mumbai without actually passing through Goa.
