Goa: Central Jail Aguada set to be revamped as tourist spot

Goa's Central Jail at Aguada, which no longer houses prisoners, will now be converted into a tourist attraction, the state tourism department has said.
"The jail is all set for a major transformation. Since May 30, 2015, this prison no longer houses inmates who have now been shifted to the new jail at Colvale," a spokesperson of the tourism department said today.
"Nonetheless, the Central Jail at Aguada will not stand forgotten as it will soon join the Dhagshai Jail of Himachal Pradesh and the Cellular Jail of Andaman as a jail museum," he said.
While the Dhagshai Jail in Himachal Pradesh and the Cellular Jail of Andaman are of the British era, the Central Jail, Aguada, dates back to the Portuguese rule.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation's mega project to convert the old Central Jail into a museum is taking solid ground and the work has already begun, the spokesman said.
The GTDChasinvolved Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) and state'sfreedom fighters in the project asit intendsto revive and restorethe history and heritage, and to make it an attractive location for tourists.

"The 17th centurystructurehas some historical landmarks andDarashaw & Co Pvt Ltd, theproject development consultants,haveresearched andsurveyedevery aspect of the structure that will needto be given prominence, based on the historical andheritage value," the spokesman said.
One of the majorhighlights will include bringing to life Goa's freedom struggle through sound and lightshows and paying tributes to thevaliant andheroic deedsof young men and women who sacrificed their lives for Goa'sliberation.

The master planfor developingAguada Jailat Sinquerim into a tourist destinationinclude creating activity zones, viewing galleries, amenity zones, tourist information centres, improvement of temple and chapel areas, among others.
"The old Central Jail at Aguada is very well knownnot only as a prison but for itshistory andheritage," GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said.
"GTDC has requestedthe governmentto make this vacant structure as atourist spot. The Corporation has started working ona project that will preserve the heritage structure and showcase Goa's freedom struggle," he said.
GHAG's Prajal Sakhardande said, "We are very happy with the project proposal and thank the GTDC and Goa Tourism for taking us into confidence."

Promotion of computerisation in tourism would also
help the IT services industry in a win-win situation, Sheth said.
Like it happened in the IT industry, entrepreneurship needs to grow in tourism industry for the sector to grow, he said.
"Think about making that unbranded street food, package it, promote it like 'Haldirams'. You are going to be millionaire. And, also serve the society well...So, we need to just upgrade the way you do businesses," he said.
Citing the example of China, Sheth suggested that hosting mega conventions would attract more tourists.
"China is hosting mega conventions...Event based tourism is what Singapore has done. Not just meant for Singaporeans, but everybody comes there...That is a big thing. For which, you need to build an infrastructure," he said.

"So, all major cities of the world have gone from typical small group tourism to more convention-style tourism. Because, then you can sustain a large convention bureau, a hotel structure etc," Sheth said.
The state tourism boards need to take good care of tourists from the moment they land till they leave, he said.
Noting that the IT industry grew in the country as governments took steps, like establishing Special Economic Zones and engineering colleges, he said tourism can become more organised.
Hospitality industry is organised, but the tourism sector as a whole needs to get more organised in different aspects, he added.