http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Motorized-paragliding-at-Ashvem-soon/articleshow/51751475.cms

Motorized paragliding at Ashvem soon

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is set to introduce more tourism-related services in the next few days. Listed on its agenda is motorized paragliding that will be launched shortly at Ashvem beach, North Goa. Amphibious bus services for which a soft launch was conducted some months ago and the GTDC was awaiting approval from the transport department. In addition, the recently-renovated Panaji Residency will be formally commissioned on Saturday.

GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said that motorized paragliding is slightly different from regular paragliding. In the motorized version, the landing is regulated as against regular paragliding where landing depends on wind velocity.

To begin with, the service will be provided at 3,000 for 10 minutes. Operators will have four powered paragliders. .

“It took almost three years for the service provider to get all permissions,” said Cabral.

To be on the safe side, the GTDC has also written to the village panchayat informing it about the launch of the service. GTDC faced quite a lot trouble when it launched the hot air balloon and helicopter services. Both services had to then be shifted to South Goa because of opposition by locals.

Goa Tourism’s sea plane service which was stuck for want of certain permissions, is also set to be launched in the next few days. The Captain of Ports (CoP) has earmarked a spot for landing of sea planes in River Mandovi, , and regular trips would be conducted once it has been certified, said Cabral.

Panaji Residency, which has been refurbished to compete with starred hotels in the capital city, will be commissioned today at the hands of defence minister Manohar Parrikar.