Goa eyes PPP model for infrastructure

The Goa government's Budget envisages to develop infrastructural facilities in the state through public, private partnership (PPP) model.

"This model will not cost the state government anything, and the projects will be handed back to us (government) after completion," said chief minister Pratapsinh Rane.

Besides projects like setting up Goa broadband network, a convention centre, the north-south expressway and others, the chief minister spoke about constructing bus terminuses in Panaji, Margao and Mapusa on the same model.

"These bus stands would be constructed on build, operate, own and transfer (BOOT) basis," he said.

Rane informed that the work order for the Goa broadband network project had been issued and connectivity up to taluka level would be completed within four months. "It will reach all the village panchayats. All the households will get connectivity by December 2007 for just Rs 500 per month," he said.

The state government has also selected a private partner for setting up a world-class convention centre at Dona Paula.

Work on projects like construction of an oceanarium, the north-south six-lane expressway and a hydel-power generation unit is expected to begin during 2007-08.

The chief minister maintained that the north-south expressway would be running from Patradevi in the north Goa district to Margao in south Goa.

The government has also expressed its interest in setting up a gas pipeline from the Enron plant to provide clean fuel to industries in Goa. "The feasibility study will be carried out by a consultant," Rane stated.