TWO UNIQUE TOURISM INITIATIVES LAUNCHED IN THE CITY – MULTILEVEL CAR PARKING AND PEDIBUS

Goa Tourism is constantly trying to develop the better infrastructure in the state to facilitate the tourism industry of Goa that is presently going through the bad phase. In one such initiative, the Tourism Department of Goa in Association with GTDC Goa Tourism Development Corporation has launched two long-awaited projects in the city. The first is the unique and first of its kind multilevel parking and second is PEDIBUS (a battery operated cycles).

The launch was done by Hon’ble Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar along with Goa CM Mr. Laxmikant Parsekar, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Goa, Mr. Dilip Parulekar, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Hon’ble M.L.A. & Chairman GTDC Ltd, Mr. Siddharth Kunkolienkar, Hon’ble M.L.A. & Chairman EDC LTD, Mr. R. K. Srivastava, IAS and Chief Secretary, Mr. Sanjeev C. Gauns Desai, Director of Tourism and Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, GTDC Ltd.

According to the sources in the department, MLCP (Multi Level Car Parking) is the most ambitious project of Goa Tourism which has been under construction for a long time. Having the capacity of accommodating around 465 cars is the five-level structure having the facility of lift for the passengers. The Parking can accommodate 87 cars per level and has two independent circular ramps for the easy and free movement of the vehicles while entering and exiting the MLCP. The commissioning of the MLCP project is expected to ease traffic congestion  in the  capital city and  improve  vehicular movement in and around  Panjim.

The MLCP will also include 2 passenger lifts, toilet facilities and other basic needs like CCTVs,   adequate lighting, monitoring, and security etc. The MLCP project is a unique project and much needed to de-congest  Panjim. The GTDC is working work out a model which will maintain the building as well earn revenue to the corporation. The project has  been undertaken  to develop tourist facilities  under  the ‘Integrated  Development  of Infrastructure for  Heritage  and Hinterland Tourism’ in Goa (IDHHT), with financial assistance  from the Ministry  of Tourism, Government  of India. The MLCP has been constructed at the cost of Rs  35 crore.   M/s Lotus Environments was the consultant for this project.

The second project of Goa Tourism which is launched by the RM in the capital city today is the battery operated vehicles called PEDIBUS. The PEDIBUS are  battery operated eco-friendly vehicles  which are a big hit in Europe and  set to enthrall tourists visiting Goa. They are 100 per cent  pedal powered and  15 per cent  quadricycles having no emission. The concept of PEDIBUS an 8-10 seater cycle is being brought for the first time in India to Goa and will serve as a unique way to  explore Goa. Hon’ble Union Minister for Defence, Mr. Manohar Parrikar said “I am overwhelmed to see the tourism sector in Goa growing with a new approach each time. There is a lot of effort put in by the team led by the tourism minister. I congratulate Goa Tourism for taking up these projects and initiatives  and making Goa more beautiful and attractive. I have full faith in the team and would be delighted to see much more such infrastructure development projects and initiatives being taken up. I am also very happy that  Panjim, which is the capital city of Goa  and  a tourist spot has been given a big boost in terms  of tourism  infrastructure. The new Multi Level Car Parking project will help decongest Panjim and will be a unique project in the State of Goa.”

Tourism Minister of Goa, Mr. Dilip Parulekar said “I extend a sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Defence Minister of India for gracing this occasion.  I am happy to see a surge in development of tourism projects during my tenure as the tourism minister of Goa through all the support from the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.  We have been making efforts to put all tourism infrastructure projects in place and will ensure the continuation of the good work being done.”

Chairman, GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral said “The Multi Level Car Parking is one of the important beautification and infrastructure projects being commissioned this year. I am happy that this project has been successfully completed as per our expectations. The multi-level car parking is a unique facility being provided for tourists and locals and we shall encourage people to use the MLCP which will reduce traffic congestion in Panjim. GTDC along with the agency appointed for the maintenance and upkeep of the projects will ensure that all systems are functioning smoothly and efficiently.”