Panaji, Sep 4 (IANS): Tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar has convened a high-level meeting of MLAs and sarpanchas from coastal talukas, on Monday, to discuss initiatives proposed to develop tourism in coastal areas in Goa.

This meeting comes in the wake of the central government sanctioning central financial assistance (CFA) of Rs 100 crore to Goa under the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme for developing the coastal circuit.

A day ahead of the meeting, Azgaonkar said, "Goa tourism is committed to developing coastal areas in the state, which will boost tourism and attract tourists to enjoy, not only the beaches and coastal areas, by availing facilities and quality tourism infrastructure."

Tourism infrastructure development projects include providing public conveniences like toilets, changing rooms, locker facilities, adequate parking, beautification, illumination, etc. are some of the components envisaged in the plan.

The tourism minister had assured that he would take all village panchayats into confidence while drawing up plans for 'coastal circuit development'.

The meeting will be attended by the MLAs and sarpanchas representing the coastal areas in Goa, and they will be explained details as well as deliberate on the infrastructure development projects in their talukas.

Azgaonkar has expressed confidence that the MLAs and village panchayat will co-operate and contribute in the discussions on Monday and strengthen Goa tourism's plans of augmenting tourism infrastructure. Azgaonkar is also proposing to impress upon the local and state representatives to be more vigilant about the drug menace, and he will also seek their co-operation in eradicating this scourge.

Last week saw Candolim residents protest against the GTDC's plan to construct a toilet block on a sand dune. GTDC issued a statement assuring there would be no destruction to the ecology.