Union minister for road transport and highways, shipping and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Nitin Gadkar?i today said that Mumbai-Goa cruise ship services would be operational very soon. He was speaking at the Goan of the year awards organised by the Lokmat media group in Panaji this evening in the presence of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar and other members of the state cabinet. Gadkari said, the new cruise ship terminal and new airport in the state would boost tourism, which is a key economic driver for the state. <br/><br/>The union minister said, four-laning of the Mumbai-Goa highway till Karnataka would be ompleted by 2018. The new bridge over Zuari river will have a tower connected by a capsule, which will provide panoramic views of the scenery to visitors. Waterway facilities will be made available from the airport for tourists to reach their destinations within the state.Gadkari added, these developments will drive employment and positive changes in tourism in the state. Tourism in Goa is increasing rapidly, but care needs to be taken to ensure that it does not have adverse effects. He thanked Manohar Parrikar for his efforts to preserve the cultural identity of Goa.