GTDC unveils ambitious PPP-based plans
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Following land crunch in Goa to attract investors for setting up mega tourism activities, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has initiated the process for PPP-based projects at some of its major properties in the State.
A mega Oceanarium project at Miramar, Theme Park at Mayem, wedding venues at Baga and Colva, five star hotel and anchoring facilities at Britona and night bazaars and food courts at Vagator are some of the shortlisted projects proposed by the Corporation and currently being processed by the government.
Chairman of the GTDC, Nilesh Cabral speaking to Herald on a host of tourism related issues recently said, “The GTDC no longer has to play the role of bringing tourists to Goa like it used to in the 80s. We are now focusing on how we can ensure longer duration stays of the tourists visiting Goa.”
This, he said, is possible only if Goa has tourism activities in the State, which are currently negligible.
“Unfortunately non-availability of land is making it difficult for investors to come to Goa,” said Cabral disclosing that an attempt last year to bring in big names involved in tourism activities to Goa met with poor response.
Cabral said that the Corporation has decided to step in to offer its un-utilized properties for joint venture projects in the State and is optimistic that this initiative will turn fruitful for Goa tourism.
“We intend working out these arrangements through the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model,” he said explaining that the GTDC will not have to invest in any manner but instead get value from its properties that have remained idle for years.
It was disclosed that the government’s mega plans to have an Oceanarium in the State will be realized by the GTDC at its property in Miramar measuring around 20,000 sq meters. The existing residency is proposed to be demolished and re-constructed near the Science Museum also at Miramar where the Corporation has property measuring more than 25,000 sq meters.
“It is proposed to have an overhead connecting system from the new residency and parking lot to the Oceanarium,” disclosed Cabral.
Likewise, a Theme Park is proposed at Mayem Lake on an area of 1 lakh odd sq meters and night bazaars and food courts at its property at Vagator.
While work is already on at its Baga property measuring 28,000 sq meters for a wedding venue, plans are also in the offing for utilizing property available at Colva residency for a wedding venue in South Goa.
The Corporation is also proposing to have a five star hotel and anchoring facilities for small yachts at Britona where it has property approximately 30,000 sq meters.
While most of the projects have been chalked out, the Corporation proposes to take assistance of its consultants on furthering the same as soon as the government approval is granted.
Oceanarium at Miramar in place of the existing residency
New residency cum parking lot near Science Museum at Miramar and overhead connecting link to the Oceanarium
Five star hotel and anchoring facilities for yachts at Britona
Wedding venues at Baga and Colva
Night bazaars and food courts at Vagator
Theme park at Mayem Lake
