Goa government officials said the Rs 6.5 billion (bn) Porvorim flyover will be inaugurated on September 10 by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Rohan A Khaunte announced the schedule while addressing the Independence Day programme at the Government Complex Building at Mapusa in North Goa after he hoisted the national flag. The flyover, nearing completion, is intended to decongest the Mapusa–Panaji route and improve connectivity as a major infrastructure project for the state. Khaunte said the tourism sector remained the backbone of Goa's economy and had provided economic stability after mining was banned in the state. He said the government was taking steps to expand tourism beyond beaches by promoting homestays, eco and hinterland tourism as well as spiritual, heritage, adventure, culinary, wellness and yoga tourism. These initiatives were intended to diversify attractions and extend economic benefits across rural and urban areas. He also highlighted projects such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum at Farmagudi and the Porvorim Town Square, and noted that 75-80 per cent of work on these projects had been completed. The minister noted that these projects had received financial assistance from the Centre and would add new tourism attractions while creating employment opportunities. Planning and delivery had focused on rapid completion to maximise benefits for visitors and local vendors. Khaunte said Goa currently had 815 startups, 382 founded by women. Since the launch of the Startup Policy in 2018, more than Rs 45 million (mn) had been distributed through grants and financial assistance had been provided under the IT Policy launched in 2021. He added that the Tuem Electronics Manufacturing Cluster would boost the state's IT and electronics manufacturing sector, benefiting from highway connectivity and proximity to Mopa airport. The government was working to attract Global Capability Centres and make the state an IT knowledge hub; he paid tribute to freedom fighters and urged citizens to preserve Goa's culture, language and identity and to contribute to a vision of an advanced, safe, clean, digital and prosperous Goa.