MICE tourism boosts plans for mega convention centre
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MAY 27
Plans to set up a mega international convention centre, not very far from the capital city, have been revived.
It may be recalled that a Rs 400-crore convention centre was earlier proposed in Dona Paula for which DLF, a real estate giant, had bagged the contract in 2007. The firm was to pay the Goa Government Rs 161 crore. The project was to come up on 25 acres of land close to the Goa University campus on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. However, in view of the legal tangle with teachers of Goa University who had approached the High Court, the project could not take shape.
The Government has now revived a similar proposal for an international convention centre as there is a strong demand from the tourism industry.
What is called MICE tourism — meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions — has shown huge potential in the State. Sources said a convention centre of international status, would attract tourists in larger numbers. Goa is already known as a MICE destination but has no proper infrastructure to take it big.
In this backdrop, the Government seems to be pursuing the project and today, a presentation was made, among other projects, to Gajendra Haldea, principal advisor (infrastructure) in the Planning Commission, at the Secretariat, Porvorim.
It is not clear where the project is likely to come up. But sources said that land around Panjim is being identified. It could be in or around Bambolim, a source said. The modalities for setting up the centre are being discussed.
OTHER PROJECTS: Presentations were made about other projects the Government is pursuing on PPP basis.
These include Uguem-Capxem Bypass road in the mining belt of Goa, Sports City in Dhargalim, some tourism projects, etc.
As per a feasibility report prepared by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, a 16 km road of 20 m width has been suggested for construction of the bypass road of which 7.8 km Guddemol-Capxem stretch has been slated for construction on a priority basis. There is, however, opposition to the project from Xeldem and village groups.
Haldea took a review of various projects and enquired about their status.
He also expressed happiness that the Goa Government has taken up several projects on PPP mode. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Chief Secretary, S K Srivastava, Secretary (Sports) Dr M Modassir, GSIDC Managing Director Sanjit Rodrigues, Joint Secretary (Finance) Sherkhane, Director of PPP Cell Anupam Kishore, and other officers were present. The Government took the opportunity to seek more funds for the projects.
