Goa launches motorised paraglide at Mandrem beach to boost tourism

Motorised paragliding is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft sport.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has tied up with Pune-based Flying Safari to bring powered paragliding to Goa’s Mandrem beach. The new adventure sport will be introduced at other beaches in a phased manner.

Motorised paraglide, a simple two-seater flying machine, was launched by the Chief Minister of Goa, Laxmikant Parsekar and he took keen interest in and minutely inspected the motorised paraglide.

The powered paraglides have earned the distinction of being the safest flying machines. It allows flying at various altitudes – from two feet above the ground to thousands of feet high in the sky. It is a slow flying aircraft, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery beneath.

The motorised paragliding will be available between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm and each ride will last for 10 to 15 minutes.

Parsekar also laid the foundation stone for the development of the Shri Dev Sapteshwar Bhagwati Pramukh Panchayatan Devasthan, which is a 300-year-old temple, dedicated to goddess Bhagwati, located in Pernem taluka, North Goa, approximately 17km from Mapusa. The complex has five temples, the main temple is dedicated to Shri Sapteshwar and Bhagwati and other temples are dedicated to Narayan, Ravalnath and Satpurush.

The development and beautification plan of the temple includes providing public amenities for the tourist and devotees like toilet blocks, parking areas, pathways, amphitheatre, illumination, landscaping etc.  The wayside public utility services being provided will help tourists en route to the temple complex and the beach belt at Mandrem. The cost of the project is INR20.4 million.

According to the GTDC, this initiative will boost the adventure tourism and pilgrimage tourism in Pernem Taluka, North Goa.

The chief minister said, “The Goa government is promoting adventure and spiritual tourism in a big way. Goa is known for its beaches, temples, and churches and adding new attractions and facilities will augment tourist arrivals to all these locations. The government is committed to promoting tourism and will support all such projects and initiatives that will go a long way in making the state more attractive.”

Also, present for both events were GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral and officials from Goa Tourism, Goa Tourism Development Corporation and officials from the local bodies.

Nilesh Cabral said, “Goa Tourism and GTDC are giving a facelift to religious monuments in the state. The Bhagwati temple, an ancient temple having great heritage value has been drawing tourists and pilgrims from far and wide. The project to develop facilities for pilgrims will be a big boon and also increase footfalls to this religious site. Similarly, the launch of paragliding at Mandrem beach will give a new avenue for adventurous tourists. Goa has a variety of activities to attract tourists for an exciting holiday.”