Panjim, Sept 4: A high level meeting was convened by the Department of Tourism and chaired by Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Goa comprising of Coastal taluka MLAs and Village Panchayat Sarpanchas who today unanimously resolved to complete all tourism related infrastructure development projects under Swadesh Darshan within a period of one year.
While the first phase of the Coastal Circuit Development Plan covering beaches of North Goa will be completed within the next six months, projects envisaged under the second phase of the Coastal Circuit Development covering beaches in South Goa is proposed to be completed within the next one year.
Site inspections for identification of areas for setting up of public conveniences namely toilets, changing rooms, locker facilities on the beach belts will begin from tomorrow and will be completed by September 15.
The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar addressing the high level meeting on Monday morning said, “ Goa Tourism has received Rs 200 crore (Rs 100 crore in the first phase and Rs 100 crore in the second phase) from the Central government under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for setting up tourism infrastructure in the State. It is important that we utilize the money and complete the projects expeditiously so that this infrastructure development gives a big boost to tourism, in particular the beaches, and attracts tourists from all over the world.”
Mr. Ajgaonkar today impressed on the Village Panchayats to identify land, furnish all NOCs and also obtain required clearances for initiating these projects so as to avoid hurdles causing any delay in the execution and completion of works.
Ajgaonkar requested the MD GTDC, Mr. Nikhil Desai to initiate the process for CRZ approvals immediately.
The Hon’ble Chairman GTDC and MLA Curchorem, Mr. Nilesh Cabral also addressed the meeting of coastal taluka MLAs and VP Sarpanchas and appealed to the stakeholders to extend their full co-operation with Goa Tourism in augmenting tourism infrastructure in the coastal areas.
Earlier, Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation made a detailed presentation of the circuit development plans phase I & II. A time schedule was thereafter prepared for site inspections starting from tomorrow on the beach belt for identification of land and other issues to start the project development works.
Mr. Ajgaonkar today also impressed on the village panchayat representatives that Goa Tourism is working in the interest of boosting the profile of coastal areas cutting across all party lines.
Present at today’s meeting included, Minister for Panchayat, Mr. Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Housing Mr. Jayesh Salgaonkar, Leader of Opposition, Mr. Chandrakant Kavlekar, Cortalim MLA Mrs. Alina Saldanha, Nuvem MLA Mr. Wilfred D’Sa, St. Andre MLA Mr. Francis Silveira, Mandrem MLA Mr. Dayanad Sopte along with their respective VP Sarpanchas and members. The Board of Directors of GTDC Dr. M. Modassir, Dr. Shrikant Ajgaonkar, and Mr. Jeet Arolkar were also present. The Commissioner, CCP Mr. Dipak Desai also attended the meeting.
Coastal areas that will get a fillip under the coastal circuit development plan phase I include Morjim-Keri, Anjuna-Vagator, Sinquerim – Baga.
Coastal areas that will get a fillip under the coastal circuit development plan phase II include Miramar, Dona Paula, Baina, Colva, Agonda, Palolem,Benaulim, Cavelossim, Mobor and many others.
Other components namely parking facilities, CCTVs, tourist information centers, solar panels, solid waste management, signage, seating arrangement at beaches, mobile toilet models, GS mapping, cycle tracks, gazebos, drinking water facilities, Wi Fi, lighting, rescue boats and water scooters will be taken up in the development plans.
