Feasibility report submitted to CM Sawant
Panaji : River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Thursday said that Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has identified seven routes which are feasible for starting a water metro in Goa in the first phase.
Phal Dessai, along with RND officials and a KMRL team submitted the feasibility report to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Once the state government approves the report, the process to prepare the detailed project report will start which will be submitted to the Centre for financial assistance.
The seven routes identified are Panaji-Britona-Chorao Island-Amboi-Vanxim-Naroa, Betim-Panaji-Ribandar-Diwar Island-St Pedro-Old Goa, Old Goa-Piedade-Sao Mathias-Diwar-Naroa-Sarmanas Tonca, Vasco-Cortalim, Cortalim-Marcaim-Rassai-Adpai-Durbhat, Old Goa-Tolto-Dhauji-Gaundalim-Cumbharjua, Panaji-Dona Paula viewpoint-Vasco, Panaji-Reis Magos-Fort Aguada-Baga Creek-Chapora.
Initially, another route Chapora Fort-Keri-Tiracol was also identified, but KMRL did not find it feasible for introducing a water metro.
Speaking to mediapersons, Phal Dessai said that presently, in Goa about 43,000 to 45,000 passengers use water transport.
“If this project materialises, this number of passengers may go up to over 1 lakh. Vessels built by Kochi Metro have received international acclaim. Similar vessels will be introduced in Goa,” he said, adding that the introduction of water metro will make Goa a preferred destination for tourists.
Phal Dessai said the state government will try to collaborate with the Centre for the project.
A KMRL official said that Goa is a picture perfect place for implementing water metro.
“My technical team says that even the situation here is better than in Kochi. This may be a bigger and costlier project than the Kochi Metro. Tourists as well as locals who use water transport can use this sustainable way of transport,” he reckoned.
“We will work with the state government as well as the Centre to ensure that it is implemented as quickly as possible. All efforts would be made to start the project during this financial year,” the official said.
