*Beach Cleaning Contract Enhanced to 50 Beaches with increased labour, working hours and beach length: TM Khaunte*
*Porvorim, 31st July 2025* – Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, explained that the increase in the beach cleaning tender amount from ₹70 crore under Drishti Marine to ₹90 crore now under EcostanInfra Pvt. Ltd is due to the expanded scope of operations. The new contract covers a greater number of beaches, increased labour force, and extended working hours, substantiating the 90 crore tender for the beach cleaning.
The Minister clarified that the enhanced budget reflects a significant expansion in both scope and scale of operations. “The previous contract covered 39 beaches, whereas the new tender now includes 50 beaches across 82.2 kilometres in increased beach stretch, along with 102 dead ends,” Shri Khaunte informed the House.
In addition to the geographical expansion, manpower and working hours have also been scaled up. The workforce has increased from 322 labourers to 525, and the operational hours have gone up from 6 hours to between 8 to 12 hours per day, ensuring better coverage and cleanliness across Goa’s coastline.
The Minister also pointed out that the increase in the tender amount accounts for rising operational costs, which currently stand at approximately ₹18.48 crore annually. Importantly, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive participation and indicated that if self-help groups (SHGs) express interest in participating in beach cleaning efforts, provisions will be made to integrate them within the existing framework and budget, subject to feasibility and formal recommendations.
This clarification comes amidst the Department’s broader efforts under its Regenerative Tourism approach to ensure cleaner, safer, and more sustainable public spaces for both tourists and local communities.
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