AAP protests lack of facilities, poor state of affairs at Colva beach

the goan I network

MARGAO

After the Seraulim railway crossing issue, the Aam Admi Party and Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao were locked in another round of battle – this time over the state of neglect at  Colva beach.   

 While AAP volunteers descended at the Colva creek to blame the powers that be for the poor state of affairs at Colva, often called as the Queen of South Goa beaches, Churchill took the AAP head on, saying he has nothing to say if AAP volunteers cannot see the development taking place at Colva beach as part of the Rs 11 crore beautification plan.   

While AAP led by the Convenor of Colva village primary unit, Erasto Rodrigues and other leaders demanding immediate construction of changing rooms and toilets at the Colva beach, besides cleaning of the Colva creek and relocation of the STP plant, the Benaulim MLA said AAP is raising these issues after knowing that he has got approvals for many a project at Colva beach at a cost of Rs 11 crore.   

“AAP should stop playing politics. They know that I have got the government sanction of Rs 11 crore for the beautification of Colva beach. Work on the changing rooms and toilets is pending for want of NOC from the CRZ. AAP should not be blind to the developmental projects initiated by me at Colva after my election in 2017,” Churchill said.   

 While AAP has demanded scrapping of the Sewage Treatment plant from the vicinity of the Colva beach, Churchill shot back saying, he has already got the work stopped at the STP after an inspection of the project after his election. “I have been on record over the last few months that I will never allow discharge of the STP water, whether treated or untreated into the sea,” he said, adding that AAP should know that there will be no takers for their style of politics in Goa and especially in Benaulim, where he works with the people 24x7.   

 In the memorandum submitted to the Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, AAP had pointed out that Colva beach is in a sorry state and neglected by the powers that be, adding that Colva village which is part of Benaulim Assembly constituency was ruled by two ex-Tourism Ministers, Churchill Alemao and Mickky Pacheco, claiming the duo only looked after their vested interests.   

 Besides demanding the relocation of the controversial STP and the cleanliness and maintenance of the STP, AAP in the memorandum had demanded a host of amenities at the Colva beach, including installation of CCTV cameras on the beach and provision of world class transport facilities to and from Colva beach for the tourists.   

WHAT AAP WANTS

 In the memorandum submitted to the GTDC, AAP pointed out that Colva beach which is  part of Benaulim Assembly constituency was ruled by two ex-Tourism  Ministers, Churchill Alemao and Mickky Pacheco, claiming the duo only  looked after their vested interests   

 Besides demanding relocation of controversial STP, AAP also demanded a host of amenities including  installation of CCTV cameras on the beach and provision of world class  transport facilities to and from Colva beach