‘Centre mulling Konkan-Goa tourism circuit’

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday said that the central government was contemplating developing a joint tourism circuit including Konkan and Goa to give a major boost to tourism in the coastal areas of Maharashtra.

Mr Prabhu was addressing “Investors’ Meet 2015” organised by the Sindhudurg district administration at Sahyadri Guest House. “In view of the large number of tourists visiting Konkan and Goa, the central government will try its best to form a joint tourism circuit comprising Goa and Konkan. The Central government will provide all the necessary help for basic infrastructure for the tourism circuit,” he said.

“With development of tourist spots, development of ports, four-laning of national highways, the proposed Chipi Airport, water transport, sea world and scuba diving project, the central government is committed to making Sindhudurg district the focus of development,” he added.

The railway minister further said that medical tourism too would be developed in Sindhudurg district, somewhat on the lines of Kerala.

He observed that Maharashtra was a developed state and Sindhudurg, being a district, had achieved significance in various fields. “It was the first district to be declared a tourism district, the first district to be declared literate and the first among all districts in implementing e-administration,” said Mr Prabhu.

Meanwhile, Industries Minister Subhash Desai said that the state government was contemplating taking possession of all vacant land to maintain industrial development of the district. “To promote new industries in the district, a new scheme has been started that allows the state government to contribute its share as capital investment,” said Mr Desai.

The government was hopeful that small-scale industries would be encouraged with the help of the new scheme; added the industries minister.