GTDC to develop heritage projects

by Michael Fisher
Posted on 2009-03-21
PANAJI- In its ambitious and aggressive tourism plans, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) latest itinerary will include tours such as adventure; religious, wildlife; scary tours of ghostly ambience, among a lengthy list of new attractions.
“More cruise boats in different shapes and sizes, like the ones we see afloat on River Mandovi, will be invited to be part of Goa’s ambitious tourism expansion,” a senior official who wishes anonymity, told ‘The Navhind Times.’
A report prepared by Lotus Environment Consultants titled ‘Integrated development of infrastructure for heritage and hinterland,’ has been approved by the tourism department and will be part of the Rs 73 core investment sanctioned by the Centre and state government. The development of Goa’s heritage projects will be significant to cultural tourism attraction in the region with a potential to stimulate local employment in large numbers, he said.
The places that will undergo infrastructure development will be on a circuit route concept to reflect Goa’s heritage lifestyles. The Panaji circuit will start with the redevelopment of the Panaji jetty and its circuit route development will continue to Divar jetty, Britona, Chorao, Narve Springs and temple, Pilgao, Mayem lake, Amona jetty, Salve plantation, Khanderpa.
Starting from Mandovi river jetty and Amona jetty the inland waterways to Bondla wildlife sanctuary; Tambdi Surla temple, Codar temple to Savoi spice plantation, Ganapati temple at Marcela and Harvalem caves, Harvalem waterfall, Surla Masjid and return by the backwaters of Mandovi. This completes the tours of the Mandovi circuit.
The Zuari river circuit development will start from Old Goa, Kumbharjua, Tonka Madkai jetty to Mangueshi temple, Balaji temple, Mahalsa temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Gopal Ganapati temple, Nageshi temple, Ramnathi temple, the Marcaim jetty, Durvhat jetty, Loutolim jetty, Borim jetty to Curtorim jetty, Rachol seminary to Sanvordem jetty to Calem Agro farm, Chandor’s heritage houses, Shiroda jetty to Kamakshi temple, Sanvordem and back via the waterways.
The projects divided into four components, will include a multi-storeyed car park and the construction of a ground plus three storeyed state-of-the art building for the tourism department.