MARGAO
The government on Tuesday launched the Rs 13.87 crore tourism Infrastructure development project, including parking and illumination on the world-famous Colva and Benaulim beach belt.
Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar further assured Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao that he would take up work on the clean-up of the contaminated Colva creek and store it to its past glory.
After laying the foundation stone in the presence of local Churchill, the Tourism Minister said the government will spruce up the beaches, right from Canacona to Pernem and build amenities such as changing rooms, toilets and parking facility. “After I assume office, I took up with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar the issue of putting in place changing rooms and toilets on the beaches. Because of the Chief Minister, Goa has received Rs 100 crore for the development of the State’s beach belt,” he said.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao came in for praise from the Tourism Minister for helping the department to set up the tourism infrastructure. “Babu Ajgaonkar cannot bring about the changes alone. We need the help of the MLAs, sarpanchas, panchas and the citizens at large,” Babu said, adding that funds received from the Centre should be spent on the infrastructure and should not be returned back.
Referring to the demand by the Benaulim MLA to take up clean-up of the Colva creek, the tourism Minister said he would get funds for the development of the creek by the end of the year. “Colva beach is dear to me since I used to visit the beach since my childhood days,” he said.
In his address, Churchill made a fervent plea to the Tourism Minister to take up work on the development of the Colva creek. ‘Once the creek is developed, local youth can venture into water sports,” Churchill said, while profusely thanking the Tourism Minister for taking up the infrastructure development of Colva and Benaulim in his constituency.
Of the total Rs 13.87 crore, an amount of Rs 11.67 crore will be spent on infrastructure on Colva beach, which includes road beautification at Colva beach; beautification of existing island; pathways, drainages etc; construction of toilet block with changing rooms; four-wheeler parking for 80 vehicles; two-weeler parking for 327 vehicles; bus parking for 54 vehicles; play equipments for children’s play area; landscaping and illumination. Infrastructure planned at the Benaulim beach at a cost of Rs 2.20 crore, includes pathway with seating; four-wheeler parking for 102 vehicles; 2-wheeler parking for 152 vehicles, landscaping and illumination.
