MPT plans for cruise terminal building

VASCO: Cruise tourism is set to get a big boost as the foundation stone for a cruise passenger terminal building was laid at the Mormugao port with chief minister Manohar Parrikar terming it as a development that will change the profile of the port for good.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone, Parrikar said that he looked ahead for a good relationship between the two which he said was necessary for proper development in the state.
“With the passenger terminal building,” Parrikar said, “now the profile of the port will change from only cargo handling to passenger handling too in a big way.”
Parrikar also announced that the green cess has been reduced from 2.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent and on road tax, the cess has been reduced from 250 to 50 per tonne for MPT.
Parrikar added, “This will be a boon for MPT to a great extent. The chances of mining starting from October will also prove to be beneficial for the port.”
He asked MPT to take care of cleanliness of Vasco town and to take precautionary measures for problems which are also being seen at the Dabolim airport.
Union minister of state for tourism Shripad Naik said that the central government is funding the terminal building project to the extent of 8.79 crore.
The new building will be like a mini-airport building. It will have services like customs and immigration check, baggage check, passport reading machine, CCTV surveillance system, security check, lounge and cafeteria, etc.
Parrikar also requested the MPT to make proper arrangements for the passengers as most of their time would be spent visiting places around Goa and not in the queues completing the formalities.
Minister of state for road transport, highway and shipping Krishna Pal Gurjar, as guest of honor, said it was a proud moment for Goa as it would give a fillip to the state’s tourism in a big way.
MPT chairman Cyril George said that the economy will get a boost everytime a cruise liner comes to the port.
In the long term to benefit from the cruise tourism, better infrastructure would be needed.
Anand Kumar, the joint secretary, ministry of tourism, said, “This dream was visualized about 20 years ago when I served as one of the trustees at the port. This will go a long way in promoting the state as well as the country."