Coastal circuit project in Goa gets Centres nod

Goa Tourism's coastal circuit project under the 'Swadesh Darshan Scheme' has been approved by theCentre and soon funds will be allocated under various components for development projects to be undertaken in the first phase along thecoastal belt of the state, according to Tourism minister Dilip Parulekar.
"The Rs 99.99 crore Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is a record highest allocation received by Goa Tourism since 2010 when it had receivedan amount of Rs 40 crore," Parulekar told reporters here yesterday.
The coastal circuit projects in talukas of Bardez and Pernem, in addition to coastal areas across the state will be covered under the first phase of funding, he said.

Parulekar said that Goa was the first among the seven states to be considered for funding under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee at a meeting held recently in New Delhi on March 18, 2016.
"Some of the projects proposed in Bardez under the coastal circuitdevelopmentplaninclude improvementof infrastructure facilities like parking, illuminationand providinghandicap friendly access from the parking lot to the beachat Calangute, beautification ofthe Calangute market circle andtaxi stand...," the minister said.
"In Pernem, the project includes providing handicap friendly access and illumination across the creek at Junaswada beach and Mandren beach at Pernem, development of MorjimKhind and development of Ashwem beach," he added.

The minister said the project componentsalso include providinginfrastructureat variouscoastal areas in the state like tourist information centresat Calangute,Baga, Anjuna, Morjim and Ashwem, public amenitiesat10 beaches (37 blocks), providing CCTVs and wi-fi,safety and security measures andprovidingtourism signages.