3 floating jetties connecting Cavelossim, Betul fort, lighthouse planned; Mapusa river route plan dropped
PANAJI
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has proposed to develop a river cruise circuit along River Sal connecting Cavelossim-Betul Fort and Betul lighthouse. Total three floating jetties are proposed for development.
The Authority, at the same time, has dropped its plan to go ahead with the proposed cruise circuit covering Britona Jetty–Aldona Jetty along Mapusa River as the area does not have any major tourist attractions.
The IWAI during its meeting held earlier last week, reviewed the progress of three river cruise circuits sanctioned for Goa.
During the meeting, the Authority noted that a budget river cruise circuit was proposed connecting Britona Jetty–Aldona Jetty along Mapusa River. However, since Aldona is well connected by road network and there are no major places of tourist interest, it was decided to drop the proposal for now.
Meanwhile, the Authority has taken up development of a cruise circuit at the Upstream Morjim – Colvale Dhargal Bridge on Chapora River. Two floating jetties in the river for cruise tourism have been considered. The river cruise is proposed till Alorna Fort.
IWAI also noted that the river cruise circuit connecting the tourism jetty Patto-Chorao Island-Old Goa-Divar Island-Cortalim along Cumbharjua canal and Mandovi River is currently operational.
The Authority noted that ten additional floating jetties on Cumbharjua Canal, Mandovi and Zuari River are awarded and the same is expected to be completed by June, this year.
Also, the dredging of both Cumbharjua canal and Mandovi River has been planned for smooth navigation.
The Authority has now proposed a cruise circuit at Sal River and three floating jetties are proposed for the same connecting Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul lighthouse.
Meanwhile, the Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues informed that IWAI has proposed to develop a water metro transport system in Goa along with 16 other cities.
He said that Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is appointed to undertake the feasibility study across all 17 sites.
Rodrigues said that for Goa, the proposed four routes for the water metro project include Panaji-Divar-Old Goa, Panaji-Chorao Island, Vasco-Margao-Cortalim and Calangute-Baga-Candolim. “More routes would be added as and when required,” he said.
According to the proposal, Goa plans a fleet of a minimum of 20 electric boats with a capacity of 50-100 passengers per boat. All the boats will be of modern design with air-conditioned cabins, Wi-Fi and solar panels for auxiliary power.
