Firm on board to develop convention centre at Rs 5.8k cr

Panaji: State govt has finally selected a firm for the development of the International Convention Centre cum Convention Hotel and downstream facilities at Dona Paula, on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis, under a public-private partnership (PPP), at a cost of Rs 5,790 crore.

The convention centre will have a seating capacity of not less than 5,000, along with a separate centrally air-conditioned exhibition hall and open-air exhibition space, and a four-screen multiplex with a combined seating of not less than 800 seats. A convention hotel of not less than 300 rooms is also planned.

Govt will hand over the 2.8 lakh sqm land to the successful bidder, M/s Valor Estate Ltd, for a concession period of 60 years.

Chief secretary V Candavelou said, in the cabinet note, Goa ranked among the top five states in India for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism potential but lacked formal infrastructure to capitalise on its global brand.

He said a signature convention centre, supported by entertainment and lifestyle hubs, would significantly increase Goa's event visitation figures and position it as a South Asian convention powerhouse. “Goa at present lacks integrated convention infrastructure; MICE tourism is underutilised despite strong brand equity. Existing venues like Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium are limited by a lack of modularity and connectivity,” he said.

The state took the decision to reallocate the land at Dona Paula from the Info Tech Corporation of Goa to the department of public-private partnership, formerly the finance department (PPP division), for the development of an international convention centre on PPP mode.

The Bid Evaluation Committee undertook the technical evaluation of the submitted bids, and two of three bidders technically qualified. The state accepted the financial bid received from M/s Valor Estate Ltd, with an upfront fee of Rs 108 crore, as the highest bidder.

The concessionaire is permitted to develop any permissible facility, work, or service over and above mandatory facilities, subject to compliance with relevant development control regulations and applicable permits.

“Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, use of any built-up space for purposes, such as warehousing, industrial activities, automobile repair services, LPG godowns, or any activity involving any kind of hazardous, inflammable, non-compatible, and polluting substance or process,” govt said.