Goa tourism has got response from six agencies for on-line tender to provide life guard services at beaches across the State. The tourism department hope to put the beach safety plan in place by mid-June as its contract with Drishti Special Response Ltd ends in June.

Tender inviting bids was floated on April 30 for development, deployment , management and operations of water safety patrol with state of the art facilities and systems on a turn - key basis at nominated beaches and two water bodies for the department of tourism.

Including Drishti Special Response Services six agencies have sent in their entries.

This include Express Global Logistics Private Ltd-Mumbai, Group 7 Guards Private Ltd-Mumbai, Haast Precision Private Limited-Porvorim, Goa, Navnit Motors Private Ltd-Mumbai and Pune based NGO - Rashtriya Life Saving Society India.

A last date for submission of bids is May 27. Bids would be opened on May 28. Presently, Drishti is providing beach safety services on 32 beaches and the new tender proposes to include beaches at Cabo de Rama and Cola in South Goat taking the number of beaches to 38.

The two water bodies that are also covered for life guard patrolling include Dudhsagar waterfalls and Mayem Lake.

A couple of deaths due to drowning have been reported from the two water bodies in the last few years as they emerged as tourist spots.

The tourism ministry may also ask the appointed agency to have special swimming zones for ladies as and where required.

The lifeguard services would commence from Sunrise to Sunset in addition to night patrolling and watch out services.