The initial allotment of Rs 100 crore under Phase I for Coastal Circuit Development is being utilized for developing the coastal belt in North Goa from Sinquerim to Keri, the phase II allotment of Rs 100 crore will be utilised for developing the South Goa coastline from Panjim to Palolem.

THE MINISTER for Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Manohar Ajgaonkar announced the allotment of Rs 100 crore to Goa by the Union Ministry for Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa under the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) made a detailed presentation before the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee headed by Secretary Tourism Rashmi Verma following which the project was approved under Phase II for Coastal Circuit Development in the State.

The Minister for Tourism, Manohar Ajgaonkar said, "Goa has procured funds under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme to the tune of Rs 100 crore for the development of coastal circuits. This is the second allotment of Central Financial Assistance within one year. It will give a big boost to our plans of improving tourism infrastructure under coastal circuits both in North and South Goa. The Swadesh Darshan scheme is envisaged under the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of the Ministry of Tourism with the aim to fund projects that fall under the gamut of touristic potential due to its history, heritage, cultural importance as well as innovation. Goa Tourism will continue to work towards conceptualising new plans and projects and will try and tap financial assistance schemes for tourism projects in Goa."

Ajgaonkar said that guidance and support from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar helped in getting the funds sanctioned and further stated that he will call for a meeting of all tourism stakeholders including sarpanchas of all coastal village panchayats and concerned authorities to identify areas for setting up of toilets, changing rooms and other public utility facilities at various beaches on topmost priority.

The Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Nilesh Cabral said, "I have to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work put in by the officials of Goa Tourism Development Corporation and the SPV Cell whose year - long efforts have earned us another Rs 100 crore CFA funding by Goa for tourism. This is due to the tireless efforts of the officials and engineers of the GTDC and SPV of the Corporation. Proposals for developing river circuits, spiritual circuits and heritage and tribal circuits will also be submitted for CFA from the Govt. of India. We are extremely thankful to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar and Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Tourism, Mahesh Sharma and his team of officials, for ensuring that Goa is considered again for CFA under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme."

While the initial allotment  of Rs 100 crore under Phase I for Coastal Circuit Development is being utilized for developing the coastal belt in North Goa from Sinquerim to Keri, the phase II allotment of Rs 100 crore will be utilised for developing the South Goa coastline from Panjim to Palolem.

Projects have been envisaged all along the South Goa coastline, however some of the key coastal areas, that attract major footfalls, which will get a facelift through the coastal circuit development plan, include Dona Paula, Miramar, Colva, Benaulim, Palolem.

Some of the components include providing basic amenities of toilets, lighting, tourist facilitation centers, CCTVs, GIS systems, beautification etc.