Porvorim town square, creek circuit works to be ready by Mar ’26: Khaunte

Panaji: With the cabinet approving the Porvorim town square and the development of a creek circuit, the tourism department hopes to issue the work order to Bagkiya Constructions Pvt Ltd by next week, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte.

The minister said both projects will be completed by March 2026.Khaunte said Porvorim town square is inspired by New York’s Times Square, San Francisco’s Union Square, and London’s Piccadilly Circus. “When we travel around the world, we realise that open spaces are developed, where people come together and where activities are held,” said Khaunte. “The Porvorim square will have a performance theatre, market area, musical fountains, movie court, heritage area, the Ashoka Stambh, and basement parking.

”The Porvorim town square is being built on three plots repossessed by govt from private developers after a legal battle and handed it to the tourism department.“Work will start soon and should be completed by March 2026. The work order is to be issued next week. At the same time, work on the Porvorim creek will also start,” said Khaunte.Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, a rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be created, enhancing the Porvorim creek experience by encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa, and Pomburpa Spring, and extending up to Harvalem, Khaunte said.

The minister said the proposal to revamp Colva under Swadesh Darshan is being finalised and will likely be placed before the cabinet next month.Also announced were the beautification of Porvorim creek and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi to boost cultural tourism. The press conference was attended by Shri Kedar Naik, director of tourism, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, MD GTDC, and Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager GTDC.The Porvorim town square, spread over 11,000sqm, is a first-of-its-kind heritage-linked public space aimed at promoting economic growth and year-round public programmes.Khaunte said nearly Rs 400 crore is being spent to revitalise Goa’s tourist spaces with Central support under the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI) scheme.