Goa set to develop backwater tourism

The Goa government is set to develop backwater tourism with a view to giving a boost to the state's tourism industry.

Inaugurating a steel jetty with wooden flooring for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) behind the Kala Academy complex, chief minister Pratapsingh Rane said that four more jetties would be constructed around the state, including one in the city and another at Old Goa.

The jetties would largely help yachts and boats sailing along the Goan coast rest a bit before moving further," he added.

The chief minister said that though the jetty at Kala Academy is a part of the IFFI infrastructure, it would be useful for encouraging tourism during rest of the year.

The jetty has been constructed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (GSIDC) at an approximate cost of Rs 2 crore.

The jetty has been extended up to a length of 61 metre from the bank to facilitate berthing of a vessel of the size of Noah's Ark, which requires a minimum draft of 2 mt.

In addition, the ramp portion has two additional platforms of 10 mt by 10 mt, which will serve as the stage for press photographers.

The purpose behind constructing the temporary jetty is to facilitate berthing of vessels ferrying the dignitaries from Sinquerim to Kala Academy.

The project has been completed within a record time of 40 days.

Rane said that the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), a nodal agency for hosting the film festival, has succeeded in garnering Rs 5 crore worth sponsorship for the forthcoming film festival.

"This is much better improvement compared to the last year's collection by way of sponsorship," he pointed out.