Panaji, Nov 14 (Representative) The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has terminated the tender for construction of a new vessel and is in the process of hiring a 500-seater vessel to be operated for tourists. According to GTDC Chairman Dayanand Sopte, the Corporation had tendered the construction of a 600-seater vessel after scrapping of ‘Shantadurga Cruise Vessel. But as the Shipyard, who was awarded the tender, failed to deliver the vessel, in spite of extending the time period, it was decided to scrap the tender, Sopte told UNI.
Sopte informed that three houseboats would be operated for the tourists and one of them was already anchored in River Chapora. On promotion of hinterland tourism in the state, the DTDC Chairman said structures at Mayem would be demolished and replaced with wooden structures. He said the government had decided to start helicopter services in the state and a renovated helipad for the same was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy in September this year. Three operators had submitted bids for operating the services in the state, he said. He also said that Colva Beach and Bonda Zoo would be developed under the centrally-sponsored scheme ‘Swadesh Darshan’.