Panaji, Jul 25 (IANS): The Goa government will spend Rs.36 crore to save the popular Sinquerim-Baga beach stretch in north Goa from sea erosion.

The beach stretch, located a short distance from Panaji, is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and is under the threat of erosion. The ministry for water resources is planning to erect marine bulwarks to stop the waves from eroding the shoreline.

"The work of restoration of Candolim-to-Sinquerim beach is tendered for providing permanent reverting from erosion with the help of tetrapods with concrete blocks for a length of 1,000 metres," Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar said in a written reply to the assembly.

He added that the "anti-sea erosion and beach protection measure" was also being funded by a "Golden Jubilee Package regarding anti-sea erosion and protection measures".

The protection and anti-erosion walls will be built along the more popular tourism landmarks at Baga, namely Britto's Bar and Restaurant and Hotel Baia de Sol and is expected to be completed in 360 days.

The Goa government has identified 18 other coastal areas, including popular beaches like Anjuna, Calangute and Arambol, and even Raj Bhavan premises, located on a cliff overlooking the sea near Panaji, which are affected by erosion.