The City
Goa’s success story began with the hippies swarming its beaches in the 1960s. Goa shot into the limelight as a delightful travel destination when it co-hosted the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) in 1983. The 1990s saw a spate of construction activity from hoteliers, drawing tourists in large numbers.
Goa’s unspoiled beaches apart; it was the city’s luxuriously laidback lifestyle and charm that attracted international tourists in droves. Today, it is the significant presence of these foreigners that is dictating property trends in Goa.
Stretching 3,702 sq.km on the Konkan coast, Goa is India’s smallest state. Panaji, or Panjim is its state capital, and Vasco da Gama its largest city. Margao bears the stamp more starkly of 450 years of Portuguese rule.
The Goa Government is taking its tourist attraction a step forward by promoting medical tourism for foreigners. Multi-speciality hospitals like the Apollo Victor in Margao, and Devaaya, the Ayurvedic Spa Resort are geared towards offering the highest standards in healthcare.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The Goa Government is exploring the IT route to a successful economy, by building up on the existing infrastructure. In January this year, BSEL Infrastructure Realty and Unity Infraprojects were allotted 40,000 sq. m in Dona Paula for the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat to develop a 6,45,600 sq. feet Information Technology Park.
Last July, the Goa Industrial Development Corporation allotted 11.8 million square metres for a Pharma Park/Special Economic Zone at Keri and other biotech parks in the State. In addition, 6 hydel projects, a North-South expressway, a convention center to meet global standards, and a luxury cruise terminal were some of the projects planned by the government in association with the private sector. The state has also sanctioned plots for IT infrastructure companies like Tata Housing, Pawa International and Dempo to create facilties for IT companies moving into Goa.
Rated as the best amongst emerging cities in India for its social infrastructure, the state government is furthering civic, IT and transport facilities. While the Konkan Railway has changed life for the Goans, the tourist traffic drew private operators to fly from Dabolim airport to most major cities in India. The airport also handles some chartered flights from Europe.
Besides, services for tourists will be augmented through public-private endeavors like the golf course, and the maintenance of beaches, wayside facilities and bus shelters. Rs.68.13 crore has been earmarked to develop new roads and bridges over the Mapusa river connecting Khorjuvem island with Aldona, Khorjuvem with Poira; on the Chapora river between Pirna village and Vazrem, and at Quepem between Adem and Zambaulim. In Margao, Mungul, Khareband and Rawanfond will be connected to Colva, Benaulim and Quepem respectively.
Simultaneously, the road network is being strengthened with the NH 17 taken up under the National Highway Development Project (NHDP). The GSIDC has undertaken 2 road projects in Mandrem and Vodlem-Kalay. Mangueshi, Tambdi Surla and Dudhsagar Falls would also be better connected.
