Three cos vie for gas-based power plants in Goa

PANAJI: Following the government's intention to set up a 250 mega watt gas-based power plant to cater to the state's power needs, three industrial groups have shown interest in setting up such plants in the state.

In his recent budget speech, chief minister Digambar Kamat had announced a budgetary provision for establishing a gas-based power plant in Goa.

Speaking to TOI, director of industries, trade and commerce and nodal officer for the Gokak-Goa gas pipeline project Sanjit Rodrigues said that the government is in talks with private industries to set up the plant. "We have asked the three interested industrial groups to submit proposals. Once we receive them, the modalities will be worked out," Rodrigues said. The government has also decided to give priority to those groups which already possess land. "When we receive proposals, we will evaluate them before sending them to the government for finalization," Rodrigues said, adding that if they don't receive any proposal from an interested party, then the government might float expressions of interest.

Rodrigues said that the government and GAIL have to form a joint venture company to set up a gas distribution network to supply gas to the domestic and transport sectors in Goa. "We have not finalized a proposal on domestic gas supply," he added.

Around 16 industries in the state have shown interest in purchasing gas from the government, out of which, three have already signed a memorandum of understanding with GAIL.

"Goa Glass Fibre, Cipla, Umicor Anandiya, Nestle, Hindustan Unilever, Birla Furukawa, Sesa Goa and Reliance Infrastructure are some of the companies that are interested in purchasing gas," said Rodrigues.

Courtesy: The Times Of India

Train services unlikely to be restored before Fri

MARGAO: The work of restoration of the railway tracks between Ratnagiri and Nivsar of the Konkan Railway which were affected by waterlogging on account of a landslide was further hampered after a 50m portion of a retaining wall gave way on Monday evening, ostensibly owing to the pressure exerted on it by the landslide.

Train services are therefore unlikely to be restored before Friday, Konkan railway officials said. "Though about 25 poclains and 150 labors with engineers have swung into action, continuous torrential rains are preventing the men and machinery from approaching the affected site for restoration work. However, all out efforts are being made to restore the section on a war-footing. Under these adverse circumstances, it is expected and estimated that the restoration work is likely to be completed by the evening of July 21, if situation permits," senior public relations manager B G Ghatge said.

Regretting the inconvenience caused to the public and passengers, a press note issued by Konkan Railway has urged people to contact emergency telephone number 10722 for correct and factual information about the status of the trains. 12133/12134 CSTM-Mangalore junction Express, 12051/12052 CSTM-Margao Janshatabdi, 11003/11004 Dadar-Sawantwadi 'Rajya Rani' Express, 10103/10104 CSTM-Margao 'Mandovi' Express, 50107/50108 Sawantwadi-Margao trains were cancelled on Tuesday.

Transhipment of passengers between Ratnagiri and Adavali Stations was arranged for at least four affected trains, it was said.

Besides, following trains have been diverted through alternative routes: 16337 Hapa -Ernakulam express that left Hapa on Monday was diverted via Vasai Road, Panvel, Pune, Londa and Margao. 12223 LTT-Ernakulam Duronto express was to be diverted via Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Wadi, Guntakal, Bangalore, Jolarpettai Junction and Shoranur Junction. 12450 Nizamuddin - Margao Express that left Nizamuddin on Monday was diverted via Vasai Road, Panvel, Karjat, Pune, Miraj, Londa and Margao. 12288 Deharadun -Kochuveli Express that left Deharadun on Monday was diverted via Vasai Road, Panvel, Karjat, Pune, Wadi, Shoranur Junction. 12997 Tirunelvelli -Hapa left Tirunelvelli on Monday was diverted via Shoranur Junction, Jolarpettai Junction, Wadi, Solapur, Pune, Panvel and Vasai Road. 16334 Trivandrum -Veraval schedule was diverted via Madgaon, Pune, and Panvel & Vasai Road. 12449 Margao-Nizamuddin was diverted via Madgaon, Londa, Miraj, Pune, Panvel & Vasai Rd. 12519 Ernakulam - Pune was to be diverted via Shoranur Junction, Jolarpettai Junction, Wadi, Solapur, and Pune.

courtesy: Times Of India

Goa’s handicrafts will soon get a helping ‘haat’

PANAJI: A crafts bazaar, 'Goa Haat', will soon be set up across six acres of land on the eastern side of the Rua de Ourem creek in Panaji, opposite the directorate of tourism. Modelled along the lines of the Delhi handicrafts bazaar, 'Delhi Haat', the bazaar is aimed at giving a boost to Goan tourism and handicrafts.

Official sources told TOI that while the blueprints for the Goa Haat -- to be set up at a cost of Rs 5 crore sanctioned by the central government -- are ready, the approval of the Panaji planning and development authority (PDA) is awaited. The project will be tendered within two to three months, sources said.

It is learnt that tourism secretary D C Sahoo visited the 'Delhi Haat' to study its functioning, and the 'Goa Haat' is expected to function in a similar fashion. For example, stalls in the 'Delhi Haat' are allotted to a vendor for only 14 days, after which a new vendor occupies the stall. This prevents a vendor from claiming tenancy rights, sources said.

The 'Goa Haat' will not utilize the entire six acres of land near the creek. Only four acres will be used for the stalls and two acres will remain untouched so that the greenery of the area is preserved.

The 'Goa Haat' will have 25 permanent stalls which will be allotted to the tourism or handicraft corporations of different states in India on a lease basis to conduct their sales throughout the year. Another 40 stalls will be open, temporary stalls without shutters. Here, artisans of different states will be asked to apply for allotment of stalls for two or three weeks and the allotments will be done in advance. A certain percentage of the stalls will be reserved for Goan artisans who will also enjoy some preference in allotment of the stalls, sources said.

The concept of allotting stalls on a rotation basis is favourable to the government because it eliminates the permanent occupation of a stall. The government hopes that the stalls showcasing handicrafts from different states of India will attract tourists to the 'Goa Haat' giving it a national colour, feel and generate revenue, sources said.

Sources also disclosed that the tourism department has plans to utilize the other part of the land adjacent to the land allotted for 'Goa Haat'. The department is considering starting entertainment facilities like laser shows, amphitheatres, etc on the adjacent plot on a public-private-partnership basis without involving government funds, sources said.

Courtesy: Times Of India