The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Ltd, which has been trying to find new avenues of revenue and improve its finances, has decided to run retail petrol pumps at its properties in partnership with a private player.
Earlier this year, the GTDC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Petroleum Development Corporation (HPCL) Ltd, to set up petrol pumps at different places across the state. It has now finalized four locations, including Baga, Benaulim, Pernem and Farmagudi.
Also, a five-member committee, headed by GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral, has been set up to identify and appoint a partner who will run and operate the outlets.
A source said, when the HPCL approached GTDC with an offer, the latter decided to consider the proposal as it owns a lot of properties spread across the state, including tourist hot spots.
"Most of the land owned by GTDC is underused. Portions of some properties have been encroached and GTDC is fighting litigations. Though it is not making profits any more, it has reached a breakthrough.
However, its financial health can't be termed very healthy," he said.
Also, petroleum companies he said, have problems finding the right land to set up outlets. Ideally, a petrol pump should not be located in a congested area.
Savio Messias, president, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, said for long, petroleum companies had problems getting land in Calangute. Until a few years ago, people of Calangute-Candolim had to either go to Mapusa or Panaji to fill fuel.
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