Centre allots Rs 100 crore to Goa under Swadesh Darshan scheme

The union tourism ministry has allotted Rs 100 crore to the state under the Swadesh Darshan scheme to augment its tourist infrastructure, Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar informed today.

"A Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) formed by theGoa government's departmentof tourism under the Goa Tourism DevelopmentCorporation(GTDC) made a presentation beforethe Central Sanctioning and MonitoringCommittee after which the amount was approved," Ajgaonkar told reporters today.

The amount wasapproved under Phase-IIfor coastal circuit development in the state, the minister said.

He said Goa has procuredfunds under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme to the tune of Rs 100 crore for thedevelopment of coastal circuits.

"This is the second allotmentof central financial assistance withinone year. It will give a big boost to ourplans of improving tourism infrastructure under coastal circuits both inNorth and South Goa," Ajgaonkar added.
 

The Swadesh Darshan scheme is envisaged under the central financial assistance (CFA) of the Ministry of Tourism with an aim to fund projectsthat fall under the gamut of touristic potential due to its history,heritage, cultural importance as well as innovation.

The minister said Goa Tourism willcontinue to work towards conceptualizing new plans and projects and will tryand tapfinancial assistance schemes for tourism projects in Goa.

GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said "while the initial allotment Rs 100 croreunder Phase-I for coastalcircuit developmentis beingutilisedfor developingthe coastal belt inNorthGoa fromSinquerim to Keri,thephase-II allotmentof Rs 100crorewill be utilised for developing theSouth Goacoastline from Panaji to Palolem."

"Projects have beenenvisagedallalong the South Goa coastline,howeversomeof thekey coastal areas,that attract major footfalls, which willget a facelift through the coastal circuit developmentplan,include DonaPaula,Miramar,Colva, Benaulim,Palolem," he said.

Cabral said some of the components include providing basic amenities like toilets,lighting, tourist facilitation centres,CCTVs,GIS systems, beautification and others.