Visitors to Goa will soon be able to enjoy panoramic views from the top of the New Zuari Bridge, linking the north and south districts of the state. The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) on Wednesday announced that necessary approvals have been granted for the observatory towers atop the bridge. Also called the Manohar Setu, in memory of the late former chief minister of the state, Manohar Parrikar, the bridge spans the Zuari River. Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the towers on Friday in Goa, along with chief minister Pramod Sawant. Costing about Rs 270 crore, the project will be executed on the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, putting zero financial burden on the government. It will be ready in the next five years and will feature observatory towers inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. “Including a revolving restaurant and an art gallery, it is designed to serve as a global tourist attraction and is poised to become a landmark in Goa’s rich touristic landscape,” an official statement reads. The concessionaire will be responsible for full construction and will operate the facility for a concession period of 50 years. “Strategically placed between pylons on two pile cap foundations, each tower will rise to a height of 125 metres, featuring shaft dimensions of 8.50 metres by 5.50 metres,” it added. The upper levels will house two expansive floors with minimum dimensions of 22.50 metres by 17.80 metres, equipped with capsule lifts for panoramic ascents. Complemented by viewing galleries, cafeterias, and state-of-the-art tourist amenities, the towers will offer a holistic experience. A dedicated walkway bridge of 7.50 metres carriage width will be constructed on either side in the marine portion, allowing seamless tourist access. Parking facilities will be provided on both ends of the bridge, ensuring convenience for visitors, MoRTH added. Speaking to News18, a senior MoRTH official said that with a unique design and tourism-centric vision, the observatory towers’ project stands as a symbol of Goa’s evolving identity. “The towers will unlock new economic avenues and reaffirm India’s commitment to creating world-class infrastructure that both inspires and serves,” the official said. The project is expected to significantly catalyse tourism and economic activity across Goa while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and enhancing India’s infrastructure-led global image. It will foster local entrepreneurship by boosting allied sectors such as hospitality, transport, and retail. Moreover, officials say, it will position Goa as a premier destination for architectural tourism and experiential travel on the international map.