VASCO
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that Baina beach would be developed with infrastructure and other amenities to boost tourism activities
Sawant was speaking to reporters after attending the Chhath Puja at Baina beach along with Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, Chicalim sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav, Mormugao chairperson Leo Rodrigues and others.
"Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar has been organising Chhath Puja for the last five years and I congratulate him for getting people to the Baina beach which was once infamous. The Chhath Puja has improved the positivity here and we will develop this beach with all infrastructure and the required amenities including changing rooms, toilet facilities etc, to boost tourism activities here," said Sawant.
"The highway along the beach is also an attraction as it is the only coastal highway, and many come here. The Baina beach stretch will be developed entirely as one of the tourist spots. The Chhath Puja has displayed unity in diversity, and we congratulate MLAs Krishna Salkar and Sankalp Amonkar and extend our wishes to the devotees," said Sawant.
Salkar said that the presence of devotees for the Chhath Puja had been rising every year.
"We have a large number of north Indians in Mormugao who observe the Chhath Puja, which is the festival of the Sun God, and we have now seen that Goans are also partaking in this puja. We had around 4,000 devotees who would arrive here initially, but today, we have seen around 10,000 at Baina beach, and I want to thank the team of the United Veterans Federation and the entire BJP team for this programme," said Salkar.
"The Baina beach has been neglected over the years, and this Chhath Puja has become a stepping stone towards the development of this shore. We are glad that the chief minister has assured us now that this beach will be developed. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had also assured that the beach will be developed, and I feel that this is the blessing of "Chathi Mayya" who is worshipped on the beach over the years.
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar said that thousands of devotees from the entire Mormugao had arrived at Baina beach to celebrate Chhath Puja.
"People have expressed their belief in the BJP government and come out in large numbers while showing that the people are united, and north Indians and Goans are celebrating a festival together. The chief minister has assured to support us to develop Baina beach to boost tourism activities. I have told the chief minister to resolve the major issue because Baina is the only beach where shack owners have to pay fees to both the tourism department and to the Mormugao Port Authority who claim their rights on this beach," said Amonkar.
Meanwhile, thousands, especially from north India celebrated the traditional Chhath Puja, a festival revering Sun God, at Baina beach.
The puja was celebrated with great religious fervour even as several colourfully and traditionally dressed women carrying the puja thali along with the men of the house carrying fruit-laden baskets and most importantly stalks of sugarcane came well before sunset to offer prayers at the beach.
