From the next tourism season, holidaymakers drawn to Goa’s silvery beaches, sylvan retreats, offshore casinos and glitzy nightlife will also be able to experience the excitement of riding on amphibian buses and flying in marine planes.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told the Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday that the State and Central Government agencies have already given most
of the permissions required for introducing marine planes and amphibian buses in the State.
“The Director General of Civil Aviation has conducted a detailed audit and recommended necessary compliances for approval. The compliances will be met and submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation post-monsoon, as infrastructure set-up and operations are suspended during the rainy season. Also, clearance from Captain of Ports (a State department agency) is awaited. The service is likely to be launched commercially in the coming season after receipt of all permissions,” Parulekar said while addressing a query from Opposition MLA Naresh Sawal on the issue.
“The Regional Transport Office test and registration and Captain of Ports vehicle registration are in progress,” Parulekar said, adding,
“The State will not incur any expenditure in introducing these services as all the investments will be made by the successful bidder. Further, Goa Tourism Development Corporation will receive a share of the revenue from the business generated by the agency.”
Goa, one of the most popular beach and nightlife tourism destinations of the country, attracts over four million tourists annually. The State Tourism Ministry has tried to diversify the bouquet of tourism offerings by starting a hot air balloon service named “Help-tourism”.
Tourism authorities in Goa are also planning to launch a cable ropeway service over the picturesque Mandovi River, from Panaji to the newly-restored Reis Magos Fort on the opposite bank of the State Capital.
Source: Daily Pioneer
Amphibian buses, seaplanes to lift Goa tourism
