PANJIM: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has terminated the tender for construction of a new cruise boat since the contractor failed to meet the deadline.
GTDC Chairman and MLA Dayanand Sopte said that following scrapping of “Shantadurga” cruise vessel conducting boat rides for tourists in River Mandovi, the Corporation had tendered the construction of a new 600-seater vessel. But the shipyard owner from Divar, who was awarded the tender failed to build and the deliver the vessel within the stipulated time.
“Despite extending the time period the contractor could not even complete 50 per cent of the works. So we had to scrap the tender,” Sopte said adding that the Corporation is now in the process of a hiring a 500-seater vessel from a private cruise operator though nothing has been finalised as yet.
Sopte further said three houseboats by private operators will also be operated in the State for tourists. One of these houseboats is currently ready and anchored in Chapora River.
He informed that in order to promoter eco-tourism, the GTDC has decided to demolish the structures at Mayem and to replace them by wooden structures.
He said that the government has also decided to promote heli tourism by starting helicopter services in the State for which the renovated helipad has already been inaugurated at the hands of Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy at Old Goa in September this year.
According to Sopte, three parties have submitted their bids to operate helicopter services in the State and the financial bids will be opened on Monday, November 15. The helicopter services, development of Colva Beach as iconic beach and the Bonda zoo will be undertaken under the Centrally sponsored “Swadesh Darshan” scheme.
“This will help to promote high-end tourism in the State,” he added.
