PONDA: Claiming that the government is only laying stress on attracting tourists to Goan beaches, Borim locals on Tuesday demanded that the Sidhanath Parvat be developed as a tourist spot.
Addressing media persons, they claimed that there are various places in the hinterland that can attract tourists and among them is Sidhanath Parvat at Borim. And the government should create infrastructure, illumination and widening of road leading to the hill.
Borim Navaduraga temple President Sham Prabudesai said, “Our long pending demand is that the government should focus on promoting the hinterland tourism in Goa. Besides beaches, there are beautiful locations and hills that can attract tourists.
He said that Sidhanath Parvat in Borim is one of the tallest hills in Borim (1250 feet above sea level). The scenic Goa is visible when you climb this hill. It is not easy to trudge this ascending slippery dirt path, hence proper road access is needed.
He said that a few years ago, the government had taken the initiative to construct a road to the hill, but it needs to be improved with proper lighting and other facilities. During annual zatra, thousands of devotees visit the temple atop the Sidhanath Parvat and they face lot of hardship due to lack of proper access and other facilities.
Milind Paidarkar, a local said, to attract tourists, the Navdurga Temple and Mudra Prathisthan have been organising musical programme for the last three years.
The government should develop this site with proper road and other facilities and this year, the programme will be held on December 14, at 4.30 pm.
Tourism Minister Manohar Babu Ajgaonkar, local MLA Subhash Shirodkar, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Dayanand Sopte will attend the programme.
“Some tourists, who visited the spot last year, found it beautiful and expressed their desire to come again. The government should promote hinterland tourism not only in Borim but across Goa which will create employment opportunities especially for the locals,” Milind Paidarkar said.
