For safety and security, CCTVs would be set up on beaches in addition to free wi-fi facilities: Ajgaonkar
PANAJI: Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar on Wednesday informed the State Legislative Assembly that the State Government is in the process of conducting GIS mapping of the entire State and the tender for the same has been issued.
"State government will carry out GIS mapping of the entire State for which an estimate of Rs 1.37 crore has been prepared. Through this, we will be able to get details on police stations, tourist spots and hotels, among others", said Azgaonkar.
He also informed that for safety and security, CCTVs would be set up on beaches in addition to free wi-fi facilities.
"For safety and security, CCTVs would be set up. We have already prepared the estimates to install CCTVs at Calangute, Candolim, Baga and Anjuna at parking areas and entrances to beaches. The work on CCTVs is complete while the work on wi-fi will be carried out by BSNL," he informed.
He was speaking after Mandrem MLA Dayandand Sopte sought to know details of the projects taken up in his constituency as well as under coastal circuit. Speaking on the Floor of the House, Sopte questioned the increase in the actual costs of a specific project which had increased by over Rs 1 crore.
Responding, the Tourism Minister informed that the State Government has been sanctioned an amount of Rs 99.98 crore under circuit-I of Swadesh Darshan.
"Under Swadesh Darshan circuit - I, we have been sanctioned an amount of Rs 99.98 crore, the amount released is Rs 49.64 crore and the amount we have spent is Rs 46.28 crore", he said.
The projects include development of an area of 13,600 square metres at Anjuna Beach which includes facility of parking for 150 cars and 26 buses. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 18.66 crore and sixty per cent of the work has been completed.
"Another project is the illumination across the creek at Junaswada Beach and Mandrem Beach in Pernem - access Bridges and cycle track from Chopdem circle to Morjim. The estimated cost is Rs 7.93 crore and expenditure incurred is Rs 3.85 crore. The work will be completed in March 2018", informed Azgaonkar.
Another project under this circuit is the development of Morjim Khind which includes boating park with facilities like restaurants. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5.03 crore while the expenditure incurred till date is Rs 4.80 crore. Currently, 95 per cent work has been completed on the project.
"We are also coming up with parking facility at Ashwem beach and the estimated cost for the same is Rs 80 lakh while the expenditure incurred is Rs 66.57 lakh. We have already completed 98 per cent of the work", he said.
The other projects include development of Calangute beach with parking facility, illumination and handicap-friendly access from parking to beach for which estimate is Rs 8.94 crore.
"We are also in the process of coming up with a parking facility for 174 cars, 10 buses and 300 bikes at Candolim beach. Additionally, a garden will also be developed on an area of 2300 square metres", he said.
