Ropeway project from Reis Magos to Panaji scrapped

Panaji: After dilly-dallying over the decision to build a ropeway from Reis Magos to Panaji, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) terminated the concession agreement with Royal Rides Pvt Ltd.

GTDC had issued a provisional termination notice on Nov 15, 2024, threatening to scrap the concession agreement, but the termination notice was withdrawn on the condition that Royal Rides would pay all the outstanding fees. “This decision was communicated to Royal Rides through a letter dated March 7. However, Royal Rides failed to make the payment. Therefore, a letter was sent to Royal Rides informing them that the concession agreement stands terminated,” said a GTDC board member.The plan to start a ropeway from Reis Magos to Panaji hit a dead end with multiple concerns being raised about the feasibility of the project. The move to build a ropeway with two terminal buildings through a public-private partnership, as well as its environmental impact, was questioned.For the ropeway project, 8,000sqm in Reis Magos was taken on lease for a period of 99 years from the comunidade of Nerul. Govt also allotted land measuring 5,200sqm belonging to the tourism department, near the swimming pool complex in Campal, for the project. According to sources, the GTDC board was reluctant to scrap the concession agreement, as it viewed the ropeway as an important project for the state.