Panaji, Jan 21 (TNN): Two years after Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC)’s plan to hand over maintenance of the multi-level car park and development of Santa Monica jetty for 44 years lease was shelved, the government has now directed the corporation not to link the two, and instead tender both the works separately.

A decision in this regard, a senior official said, was taken at a meeting last week. In September 2016, GTDC had selected Krishna Associates through a tendering process to develop the Santa Monica jetty and also undertake maintenance of the state’s first multi-level car park facility on a long lease.

The successful bidder agreed to pay Rs 1.4 crore annually to operate the parking facility, as well as to develop the jetty and create necessary infrastructure, including a waiting hall, washrooms, shops selling mementos, and eateries for tourists at the jetty.

The plan also included a restaurant overlooking the sea, an official said. The agency was to get advertising rights for the lease period. Since work entailed developing the area, the official said the successful bidder was required to make all investments and earn profit by developing and running the place.

The development was to be carried out in line with a blue print drawn up by GTDC. Presently, the jetty area lacks basic facilities, even though thousands of tourists visit the jetty for evening cruise trips. However, GTDC was compelled to hold back its plan after the finance department raised an objection, suggesting that the lease period be reduced to 15 years from 44 years, as it would not be prudent to lease out land in such prime location on a long lease.