Goa government plans to strengthen rail connectivity to major towns and tourist spots in the state from the existing North-South Konkan railway route.

The state will prepare an integrated transportation system which will feature this connectivity and it has invited applications from consultants for this purpose.

The state government would present a detailed layout of Goa's problems, vis-a-vis roads, railways and waterways, and it would ask the consultant for solutions and even alternatives.

It is learnt that as of now there are only broad ideas and these will be discussed with the consultant once appointed. The government wants to come out with a comprehensive long-term plan on public transport and not one on a piecemeal basis.

The state government discussed the plan to have a comprehensive public transport plan in place for Goa with the Union urban development ministry, which asked the former to appoint a consultant.

The consultant would have to explain the best ways of utilizing the Konkan railway route as well as the state's waterways for an improved public transport.

The state is hoping for rail connectivity options between existing stations of the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC) and major towns and tourist spots, for example between Tivim or Pernem stations and Mapusa, Calangute or Anjuna; Karmali station and Panaji; and westwards of Margao station.