The government can design a scheme to make taxi operators as taxi owners by providing them electric vehicles and converting the petrol-diesel engine vehicles into electric or flex engine ones, which will make Goa pollution-free,  the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said. 

 Goa can become the tourism capital of India, but at the same time, efforts must be made to make the state pollution-free, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said after inaugurating the second lane of the parallel cable-stayed bridge on the Zuari River.

He laid the foundation stone for the observatory tower and viewing gallery at the new bridge and six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim in the northern part of the state.

He suggested that in the future, Goa could become the tourism capital of India, drawing visitors from around the world. To achieve this objective, careful planning for essential facilities such as an international convention center, along with other amenities aligned with the state’s road infrastructure, was necessary.

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining a pollution-free environment in Goa. Anticipating a rise in the number of taxis and buses with increased tourism, he pointed out the potential for heightened pollution if these vehicles ran on diesel. As an alternative, he recommended considering fuels such as electricity, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, bio LNG, bio CNG, and hydrogen.

The government can design a scheme of making taxi operators taxi owners by providing them electric vehicles and converting the petrol-diesel engine vehicles into electric or flex engine ones, which will make Goa pollution-free, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said.

Referring to the fishing sector, he said most fishing boats now go only up to 10 nautical miles in the sea, while new trawlers that cost Rs 1.25 crore can go up to 100 nautical miles.

Gadkari also said a detailed project report (DPR) is ready for an initiative to connect far-flung places around Mumbai to the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport by waterway, which would see travel time at 17 minutes.

Places like Kalyan (in Thane district), Virar (in Palghar district) and Gateway of India (in south Mumbai) can be connected to the new airport by waterways, the union minister said.

He requested Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to think about connecting the new Mopa Airport through water transport, which will also be an attraction for tourists.

(PTI)