Vassudeva CitadelBicholim, Goa

Bicholim is one of the 6 municipalities in the famous North Goa district. Currently a developing town, emerging as one of the most important mining districts in the state, it boasts excellent connectivity to all major forms of transport. Access to primary and secondary schooling and healthcare, along with access to various elements of scenic beauty and the availability of a range of lifestyle features such as shopping areas, banks, and ATMs, along with a host of restaurants, provides for a unique residential and investment opportunity.

Furthermore, All the major tourist spots, such as beaches, churches, and resorts, are less than an hour's drive away, which allows investors to balance both the hustle and bustle of city life alongside the benefits of living in a comfortable and serene atmosphere.

What’s Good v/s What’s Bad in Bicholim

As an upcoming mining town, Bicholim has its fair share of both good and bad features that future residents and investors must carefully evaluate before investing in the same.

What’s Good in Bicholim

• Easy access to public gardens, lakes, and other wonders of natural beauty is easily available.
• As an upcoming tourist destination, it offers several newer avenues of development.
• Reasonably easy access to the Bus and Rail network of India.

What’s Not Good in Bicholim

• As its location is slightly remote, the residents may have to commute to major city centers to avail of services of higher quality, especially in terms of healthcare and higher education.
• Access to modern entertainment avenues, such as movie theaters, luxury brands, etc., near the town, may be highly limited.

Physical Infrastructure and Livability Index

Part of one of the 6 municipalities of North Goa, the Bicholim-Mupasa State highway connecting the town offers a range of convenient transportation avenues. While Cab fares are historically expensive in Goa, the fairly well-connected bus and railway network allows for easy commutes. Furthermore, Bicholim is known for its natural beauty, surrounded by lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful temples.

Social Infrastructure - Restaurants 

Some of the popular restaurants available in Bicholim are

• Adarsh Bar and Restaurant
• The Banyan Cafe Restaurant and Bar
• Hotel Shanbagh
• Spice House Family Restaurant
• Pari Classic
• Red Chilly Restaurant

Banks/ Metro Station/ Airport/ Bus Terminals/ Railway Stations/ Parks

Bicolim, Goa, provides access to various amenities that are required for living a comfortable and convenient day-to-day lifestyle, including the following:

Banks & ATMs

• State Bank of India and ATM
• Bank of Baroda and ATM
• Canara Bank and ATM
• ICICI Bank and ATM
• Goa State Co-operative Bank and ATM
• HDFC Bank and ATM

Metro and Railway Stations 

• The Nearest Railway Station to Bicholim is the Thivim [THVM].

Bus Terminals

• The Bicholim Kadamba Bus stand serves as the closest bus terminal in Bicholim.

Airport

• Manohar International Airport, Casovernam, Goa

Public Parks 

• Bicholim Walking Park
• Bicholim Municipal Park
• Bicholim Municipal Garden

Popular Roads in Bicholim 

The Main road in Bicholim is State Highway 1, which is more popularly known as the Mapusa Bicholim Road. Other roads include the Bicholim Road and the Bicholim Market Road.

Nearby Localities - Distance Calculator

Disclaimer - Kindly note that the cab fares mentioned above are not absolute prices and are subject to change.

How Do People Rate Bicholim?

As an up-and-coming town, there are not many reliable ratings indexes for this town. However, based on limited reviews, it is rated as 5 stars in both ease of commuting, owing to its road, bus, and rail networks, as well as the environment, as it has multiple public parks, schools, and hospitals in the area. Furthermore, major travel websites like Tripadvisor recommend Bicholim for its scenic beauty.

How to Visit Bicholim?

Bicolim is proximate to various modes of transport. While the last-mile connectivity is only through the road network, travelers from around the country can comfortably reach this locality from the following methods of transportation, that is:

By Road:

State highway number 1, called the Bicholim-Mupasa Highway, is the major road that connects the town of Bicolim to other parts of Goa.

By Rail:

Thivim Railway Station [THVM] is the closest railway station to Bicholim, which is a 20-minute drive from the town. This station has approximately 121 scheduled trains passing through it.

By Air:

Travelers have the option of flying in from 2 different airports to Bicholim, that being:

1. The Manohar International Airport in Cansarvornem, Goa- 27.5 Kilometers, 43 Minutes by road
2. Goa International Airport, Dabolim Goa- 47 Kms/1 Hour 10 Minutes by road

Places to Visit Around Bicholim

There are various places that one can visit in Bicolim, including

Mayem Lakeland 

Nestled far away from city life, this natural beauty wonder is famous for its woody hills. It is home to many avian species, making it an ideal birdwatching location and an opportunity to experience tranquility.

Conjuem Fort

Constructed in the year 1550, it stands as one of the only 2 inland forts that has survived the 21st century and boasts a rich history and legacy behind it. With stunning views atop the fort, this is a must-visit for nature lovers and history aficionados alike.

Arvalem Caves

Carved out in the 5th or 6th Century A.D., these caves are believed to be the residence of the Pandavas in exile, as per local folklore. Arvalem Caves, regarded as a place of great respect for locals, is a place to visit for people to experience not only the natural beauty of the caves but also an opportunity to ponder the deep archeological insights it offers.

Locality Comparison of Bicholim

The other localities to Bicolim, such as Pernem, Mapusa, and Sankhali, are similarly placed in smaller towns, with no major differences amongst them. Given that all these localities are relatively small and connected via the state highway, they share various resources. However, of these smaller locations, Bicholim is one of the bigger mining districts, which may lead to better living experiences. However, there does not appear to be any major disadvantages in the other localities surrounding Bicholim.

Final Thought

Encapsulating the perfect balance of city life with close and well-connected transport networks to major areas of the state, Bicholim, emerging as a key mining district with a host of tourist and other developing locations, serves as a good place to explore real estate and investment opportunities in the area. Surrounded by natural and scenic beauty, it allows for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle for prospective residents.