Latest news with #RohanKhaunte
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Quitol may get aero sports hub for drone testing, skydiving
Panaji: State govt is looking at setting up an aero sports hub on 2 lakh sqm at Quitol Industrial Estate, where adventure activities such as skydiving, microlight aircraft operations, paragliding, hot air balloon rides, drone racing and drone testing could be offered. State govt has already received a proposal from a private firm, Skydiving Adventures Pvt Ltd, to set up the integrated hub on the Quitol plateau. The private firm submitted the proposal on March 17 for consideration to the tourism department and the Goa Investment Promotion Board. Though yet to be approved, the proposal has found backing within govt because of the investment that it could bring into the state. 'The company intends to establish India's first integrated aero sports and aviation ecosystem that combines adventure tourism, aviation training, drone manufacturing, and hospitality,' said a govt official. Goa is also working on a dedicated policy for aero sports to ensure safety and adherence to international standards. Govt has not announced a date for the policy to be released. 'The most exciting project on the horizon is our proposed aero sports hub, which will be a first of its kind in India. If approved, this hub will create a safe world-class destination for aero sports and drone innovation featuring skydiving facilities and a vertical wind tunnel for a safe indoor skydiving experience,' said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte at the western region civil aviation minister's conference. State govt also wants to set up a flight training institute. Given the proximity between the Goa International Airport and Quitol Industrial Estate, a seamless sea-air-cruise tourism ecosystem could be developed, say officials. The Rs 120 crore project, if approved, could potentially create 186 jobs, of which around 25% would be for Goans. Govt has expressed concern about most of the jobs being given to non-Goans. The project will require Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certifications and approvals.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Launched in 2017, GoaOnline processes 9.3 lakh service requests of citizens across 30 govt depts
Panaji: As of June, govt's e-governance platform GoaOnline has processed over 9.3 lakh service requests since 2017, across more than 30 departments, indicating a clear adoption of online services. Govt received 9.5 lakh applications through the GoaOnline platform, with the remaining applications either rejected or pending. The revenue department accounted for 4.4 lakh applications, primarily for income and caste certificates, followed by the labour & employment department, where 3.1 lakh applications for labour registrations, licences, and welfare services were received. 'These figures represent completed service transactions, highlighting both the scale of adoption and the successful delivery of services across departments,' said a department official. Around 75,800 online services were related to Goa Industrial Development Corporation, including land allotment, approvals, and business permissions. The directorate of health services was placed fourth in terms of online services. To enhance convenience for citizens, the department of information technology, electronics, and communications has integrated GoaOnline services with WhatsApp, allowing access to govt documents, certificates, bills, payment receipts, and notifications via the messaging app. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Phát ngay Undo GoaOnline was initiated in 2017 by the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar and IT minister Rohan Khaunte. The use of technology for providing govt services to citizens and entrepreneurs was emphasised by Khaunte. Department officials said they are working to expand the service categories on the GoaOnline platform while also integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. To ensure last-mile access, govt has appointed Gramin Mitras to provide govt services directly to rural households, delivering services like birth and death certificates, residence certificates, and subsidies directly to doorsteps.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
Parched and dry, Goa's tourist belt struggles to keep its taps running
Panaji : Goa's famed coastal belt that has been grappling with a raft of issues has a new pain point: Water. With an unreliable and inefficient PWD adding to its woes, the hospitality sector has seen more money flow from its pockets than water flowing from the taps. From the tourist hotspots of Baga-Candolim belt to Assagao-Anjuna-Vagator area, chronic water shortage has forced residents and businesses to completely depend on tankers. So much so that some families have to resort to eating on the same plate to save water. In contrast, the adjacent constituency of Porvorim — represented by Goa's tourism minister Rohan Khaunte — receives piped water twice a day. The irony is not lost on stakeholders, who have raised concerns that without assured piped water supply, the state's tourism infrastructure could suffer long-term damage. They have knocked on govt doors seeking a steady flow of water, but all that they have received is empty promises and a lot of rhetoric. 'The PWD water is barely sufficient for drinking purposes. We can't use the open wells in Calangute because they are contaminated. Nearly 60-70% of our water requirement is met through tankers. In May, the tankers make solid business. The rate is Rs 650 per tanker, but it can go up to Rs 1,200,' said the owner of a chain of hotels from the Calangute-Baga area. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade With Our Capital FunderPro Try Now Undo A detailed list registered with the Water Resources Department (WRD) in Goa shows that there are 908 water tankers that are operating in the state, but a significant number of these tankers have not renewed their registrations, raising concerns about illegal water supply practices. Most of these tankers extract water from private wells and borewells to supply to residential colonies, hotels, commercial establishments and restaurants. 'The water pipeline in Arpora needs to be changed because there is no pressure. Right now, we require two-four tankers per day. Anjuna and Assagao are the worst hit,' said president of Small and Medium Hoteliers Association Santosh Divkar. Residents echo the distress. A Fernandes, a teacher from Assagao, said her family has struggled with water supply in May, with damaged pipelines being the culprit. The family now visits their relatives in Mapusa to bathe. Contaminated open wells in villages like Baga, Candolim, Calangute and Assagao have made residents and businesses alike wary of groundwater use. 'Half our wells are contaminated because of the new villas and hotels,' a local woman from Baga said. Divkar admits that many fly-by-night hoteliers cut corners when it comes to treating and reusing wastewater. 'There is no initiative taken for grey water treatment. Big hotels have STPs, but smaller hotels don't have the money to spend. We are asking govt to create a fund for grey water treatment so that the treated water is then used for gardening and other non-consumption purposes,' said Divkar. He said that small and medium hotels should also be given financial support to adopt rainwater harvesting. Interestingly, Porvorim, which used to suffer from water shortages, has had no complaints so far. 'We get water twice a day, in the morning and in the evening,' said a Porvorim resident. In 2020, Khaunte, who was not part of govt, had alleged that water meant for Porvorim was being diverted to hotels in Calangute and Saligao. Five years later, the tables appear to have turned.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FLY91 announces 'Monsoon Offer' up to Rs 300 off on 20 routes connecting Goa
PUNE: FLY91 has announced special discounts across its network during the monsoon season, airline officials said. The pure-play regional airline is offering up to Rs 300 off on tickets across the 20 routes it currently operates, including five key sectors connecting Goa. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 'Monsoon Offer' is valid for tickets booked between 1 June and 30 June, and can be availed for travel until 31 August. The Goa-headquartered airline's decision to launch the 'Monsoon Offer' follows a recent appeal by Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to encourage travellers to visit the coastal state during the monsoons, a period when tourist numbers usually decline. Earlier this month, during a meeting with travel and tourism stakeholders in the state, Khaunte announced efforts to develop a tourism-focused strategy to promote Goa in the monsoon season, involving collaboration with airline partners and online travel agencies (OTAs) to drive growth in the travel sector. The discounted fares apply to flights connecting Goa (GOX) with Hyderabad (HYD), Jalgaon (JLG), Agatti (AGX), Pune (PNQ), Sindhudurg (SDW), and Solapur (SSE). Additional discounted routes include Pune–Sindhudurg, Bengaluru–Sindhudurg, Hyderabad–Sindhudurg, Jalgaon–Hyderabad, Jalgaon–Pune, and Goa–Solapur, aimed at encouraging travel during the season. 'The one-month 'Monsoon Offer' is FLY91's way of making regional air travel more accessible and affordable during the season. With tourist footfall typically dipping during the monsoons, this initiative aims to incentivise travel to Goa while supporting the state government's broader strategy to promote it as a vibrant, all-season destination,' said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91. Headquartered in Goa, FLY91 currently connects the coastal state to Pune, Hyderabad, Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, and Agatti (Lakshadweep). Operating a growing fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft from its base at Manohar International Airport (GOX), the airline focuses on seamless, efficient, and customer-centric regional travel.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farmagudi Shivaji Museum to open by April '26: Khaunte
Panaji: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum at Farmagudi, Ponda, costing Rs 125.6 crore, will open to the public by April 2026, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. The museum is being developed under the Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project received Rs 97.4 crore from the Centre and Rs 28 crore from the state. The museum is envisioned as a catalyst for local economic activity by supporting tourism services, generating employment for Goans, and providing a platform for local artisans and artists to showcase their work. It will host year-round public programmes, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings, drawing both residents and tourists, said the tourism department in a statement. Khaunte said that the project will boost hinterland tourism. The museum, covering 29,212sqm including the existing fort area, will be completed by March–April 2026.
