Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Saturday that the state government would create 6,000 to 8,000 additional jobs over the next six months.

Addressing the Independence Day celebrations, he said the state government was taking steps to provide employment opportunities to the youth through recruitment in various departments.

"The government will create 6,000 to 8,000 additional jobs in the next six months," he said.

Speaking about infrastructure development, Sawant said improved roads, national highways, bridges and elevated corridors had made travel easier for commuters across Goa.

The Porvorim elevated corridor near Panaji would be opened for general public before Ganesh Chaturthi, he said.

The foundation stone for the new Borim bridge in South Goa would be laid soon, the chief minister also said, adding that the infrastructure projects would further improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.

Highlighting the state's social development initiatives, Sawant said Goa was the first state in the country to follow the happiness index.

Happiness index measures subjective well-being and happiness of individuals.

He also said Goa's traditional theatre form Tiatr had been recognised as the 56th element in India's Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory.

"This inclusion recognised the cultural significance of Tiatr and will help preserve and promote the state's distinctive cultural heritage," he added.

The CM said the state government's development agenda stressed improvement of infrastructure, creation of employment opportunities and preservation of Goa's cultural identity.

This report was published from a wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.