MAPUSA: Minister for RDA and Ports Michael Lobo on Monday said he would request the government to divert Rs 150 crore for development of hinterland tourism in Goa.
“Rs 300 crore is not only because we completed 60 years but for overall development of the State. The State is already developing through ongoing highway expansion, Zuari Bridge and more but beyond that through Rs 300 crore, different developments especially oriented development needs to be taken up all over the coastal belt to increase tourism”, Lobo said.
“The government should stress more upon developing infrastructure in the hinterland. So far, the government is only talking about hinterland tourism but, none of the governments have spent any money on hinterland tourism. There is no infrastructure development in the hinterland. People are making income by having restaurants, guesthouses, etc, in the coastal belt but in hinterland there is no such infrastructure”, Lobo added.
“The government should help people in the hinterland to have guesthouses, home stays, restaurants etc. They should be provided with loan under EDC at cheaper interest rates by subsidising the loan through Rs 150 crore and create infrastructure in hinterland so that the tourists, who visit coastal belt, will also visit hinterland, have two-day stay along with sightseeing to tourist spots, which will benefit the locals in hinterland”, Lobo said.