Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, G Kishan Reddy and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Monday, inaugurated a newly built helipad at Old Goa.
The Tourism Department has built the helipad at a cost of around Rs 5 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. T
The helipad will be beneficial for the growth of tourism in Goa and will be handled by a private agency. The agency will bring its helicopters and make them available to tourists, said Deepak Narvekar, Information Officer, Tourism Department.
"The helipad will be used for both private and public sectors and is part of the steps being taken by the government for tourism development in the state," said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India, Goa Deputy Chief Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Goa Tourism Development Corporation President MLA Dayanand Sopte, Kumbharjuve MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, Old Goa Sarpanch Zenita Madkaikar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is developing in all areas and the Central Government will provide all possible assistance for tourism development in Goa. While I was on the tour at Israel, I heard many mentioned about Goa and that's what made me aware of how famous Goa is for tourism in the world," stated Reddy.
He also pointed out that the Covid-19 epidemic had paralysed the tourism industry in Goa for the last two years but is now slowly picking up and the Goa government will be given all possible help from the Center.
He further said that the central government will provide many employment opportunities through the tourism sector to reduce unemployment in Goa.
“We will be visiting Goa next month to discuss various aspects of employment opportunities in the tourism sector. At the same time, appropriate measures will be taken to provide the facilities required by the tourists,” he said.