Panaji, March 22 (IANS) A helicopter will now patrol the beaches in Goa in order to ensure the safety of the millions of tourists who visit the state's sunny shores annually.

In his inaugural address in the budget session of the Goa legislative assembly Monday, Governor S.S. Sidhu said the central government has already promised the chopper, along with several other measures for efficient beach management.

"For the patrolling of beaches, a helicopter has already been promised by the Centre," Sidhu said.

Sidhu also said that the central government has also allocated assistance of Rs.49 crore this financial year for promoting tourism.

"My government has put in place an advanced beach safety management system by virtue of which the death rate due to drowning has been substantially reduced," Sidhu said.

Safety of tourists has been an issue of major concern in Goa, after several crimes against foreign tourists received wide publicity in the national and the international media.

Following the several high-profile crimes, the union ministry of tourism had to intervene and write to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat asking him to act proactively on the matter.

The state government has hastened up setting of a special tourist security force, comprising of ex-servicemen, to foot-patrol the beaches of the state.