Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar has received a positive assurance from the Tamil Nadu Government for the establishment of a Goa Niwas at Velankanni, a long-pending demand aimed at benefiting thousands of Goan pilgrims visiting the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health.
According to a press note issued on Thursday, Chodankar raised the issue during a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Joseph in the presence of Congress MLA and Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister Rajesh Kumar (Killiyoor). Besides discussing cooperation between alliance partners and issues of mutual interest, Chodankar urged the Tamil Nadu Government to allot suitable land for constructing a dedicated Goa Niwas at Velankanni.
He pointed out that lakhs of Goan devotees visit the pilgrimage centre every year and often face difficulties in finding affordable and convenient accommodation. A Goa Niwas, he said, would address this long-standing need by providing safe and economical lodging for pilgrims.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister reportedly agreed in principle to the proposal and directed Tourism Minister Rajesh Kumar to initiate the process of identifying suitable land for the project. As an interim measure, the Chief Minister also assured that the Tamil Nadu Government would explore providing accommodation for Goan pilgrims through Tamil Nadu Tourism until the Goa Niwas is constructed.
Welcoming the assurance, Chodankar thanked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for his prompt response and expressed confidence that the project would become a reality through sustained follow-up. He said the initiative reflected the commitment of Congress-led governments to address the genuine needs of the people through constructive engagement and effective governance.
Chodankar also reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the project until the proposed Goa Niwas at Velankanni is completed.
