Goa’s Monuments for Adoption: Private Companies To Apply Entry Fee at Tourist Spots

After privatizing most government undertaken companies, the Central Government has now decided to bring preserved monuments and places of tourist attraction all over India under a project called “Adopt a Heritage” wherein private sector companies will be given charge of these monuments for a period of five years. The companies will be known as “Monument Mitras” (friends of monuments) and they will have the authority to charge fees deem fit the same. 

Imagine you are walking on a Goan beach, and suddenly a company representative appears with a ticket in his hands, just like a parking lot ticket, and asks you to pay for entering a public property. How would you feel? It seems like something similar might take place in the State with a couple of private companies such as Drishti and V-Resorts bidding for the monuments and tourists places, under “Adopt a Heritage” scheme.  The process seems to have begun with the adoption of the Red Fort in Delhi by Dalmia Group. This new has kicked up a storm with many in the Opposition calling it an attack on the idea of India and comparing it to pawning off of family jewels. 

Is Goa next in line? According to sources, the State is next to have the adoption process and authorities have already identified the sites which will come under the “Monument Mitra” scheme. The report published in the national daily The Hindu has mentioned that in phase II of the “Adopt a Monument” following places in the state will be given to the following private companies “Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited” & “V-Resorts” 

Adopt a Monument Phase II 

Old Goa Church Cluster, Situated at Old Goa to Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited  

Aguada Fort and Light House, Situated at Candolim to Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited

Morjim Beach, Situated in Pernem Taluka to Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited

Chapora Fort, Situated at Vagator to Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited

Cabo De Rama Fort, Situated in South Goa to Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited

Adopt a Monument Phase III 

Basilica Bom Jesus, in Old Goa to V-Resorts 

The company Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited is already operational tendering its services of lifeguards on Goan beaches. There is no idea as to how Goans will take react to these new changes, but it will surely have a certain effect on the tourism industry of Goa. The tourists as well locals who were used to visit these places regularly will have to face the new development with fees being levied on these tourist spots.

What are your views on this issue? Do you feel that handing over these monuments and tourists places to the private companies is justified? What will be the consequences of the same? Please do share your views and suggestion on this story.     

IMAGE SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA