Modi to visit Goa twice in next two months: Parsekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Goa twice in the next two months, once to attend the BRICS summit scheduled in October, state Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said today.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modiji would be in Goa in the second half of September to lay the foundation stone for three important projects, including the Greenfield airport at Mopa (in North Goa)," Parsekar told reporters here after chairing the State Cabinet meeting.

"During his visit, the Prime Minister is also likely to review the preparations for BRICS summit which is scheduled for October 15-16 this year," the Chief Minister said.

Parsekar reviewed the preparations for the BRICS summit with all the departments concerned.
 

As per the Chief Minister, Modi will again arrive in the state on October 14 night to participate in the BRICS summit.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar would also be representing India in the summit, Parsekar added.

The Chief Minister said all venues for the BRICS summit would be in South Goa.

Parsekar also said the organisers have booked three five star hotels in South Goa where the event would be held and delegates would be staying.

The state government has already identified five hospitals where special OPDs will function. "Beds are also booked in these hospitals as a part of emergency preparations for the summit," Parsekar added.

Parsekar said the Goa government will request the Defence Ministry to station air ambulance in the coastal state during the event.

"The state will also request the Centre to provide additional forces to take care of the security during the high profile event which will have heads of all BRICS countries participating in it," he added.

Officials said in yet another measure, the panchayats around the venues have been asked to clear illegal hoardings on the roadside.

The Chief Minister said BRICS will provide a golden opportunity for the state to showcase itself to the world positioning itself as a tourism destination.

"We spend crores of rupees on hosting tourism roadshows in the countries from where the tourists never arrive in Goa. By holding such events like BRICS we can do away with the unwanted expenditure incurred on roadshows," said Parsekar.