Panaji: Goa is all set to celebrate Shigmo from March 5, beginning from Ponda, said director of tourism Kedar Naik on Monday. Naik said the department is working on guidelines to ensure that all the dance performances and floats conclude by 10pm, the cut-off for music.“We jointly worked on some rules for Shigmo, and one of the rules is that the maximum team size for the Romtamel will be 150. Plus, there will be time limits by which each team has to finish. We will make efforts to ensure that the Shigmo celebrations finish as soon as possible, as per the time fixed by govt,” said Naik.Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the organisation of the Shigmo float parades across various towns. Senior officials from Goa police, the electricity department, municipal administration, and the directorate of fire and emergency services were present for the meeting.The discussions focused on detailed planning, timelines, promotional strategies, and traffic diversion plans.Naik said that Shigmo parades will be held every day until March 18 across 19 towns and urban centres.“The festivities will commence in Ponda, followed by Calangute, Panaji, Mapusa, Mandrem, Bicholim, Sanquelim, Shiroda, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Cuncolim, Margao, Porvorim, Vasco, Valpoi, Curchorem, Quepem, Canacona, and conclude at Pernem on March 18.”Naik said that the department will provide an additional Rs 1 lakh in infrastructure assistance to each town and locality where the parades will be held.The parade routes will be finalised by the respective Shigmotsav committees with prior permissions, in consultation with the traffic cell, to ensure smooth traffic movement and public convenience, said Naik.“Committees were instructed to strictly adhere to all prescribed rules and regulations. The Shigmo processions should commence by 4pm,” said Naik.
