the goan I network
MARGAO
Colva tourism stakeholders, including water sports operators, taxi operators and shack owners along with the Colva panchayat joined hands on Wednesday to demand early construction of changing rooms and toilet block at the Children’s park for the benefit of visitors to the iconic beach.
Right from Colva sarpanch Anthony Fernandes to water sports operator Domingos Rodrigues, tourist taxi operator Roque Fernandes and Colva panchayat member Menino Fernandes, they all demanded the government not look back but go ahead with the toilet and changing room project.
Menino, in particular, conveyed a message loud and clear to the activists and NGO, not to put spokes in the wheels of progress, saying the stake holders and the residents of the coastal village will not remain silent spectator if attempts are made to block development.
Briefing the media at Colva, village Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes said an impression has been created that the Colva panchayat was opposed to the felling of coconut trees at the Children’s park to make way for the proposed changing rooms and toilet block.
“I want to clarify that the panchayat is totally for the toilet block and changing rooms at the Children’s park. I want to urge the government agencies to immediately start work on the project in the interest of the visitors and the stake holders,” the Sarpanch stated.
Water sports operator Domingos Rodrigues highlighted the plight of the visitor to the iconic beach in the absence of basic amenities, including changing rooms and toilets.
“It is sad to see women visitors to the iconic beach changing their clothes after a swim by holding up their sarees. The only way to stop this immediately is to expedite work on the changing rooms and the toilets,” Domingos said.
Water sports operator and panchayat member Menino Fernandes said the stakeholders have all come together to demand the changing rooms and the toilets with one point agenda to provide better amenities to the public.
“The government had cut down the coconut trees to make way for the changing rooms and the toilet block, but no construction activity has started till date,” he said, adding “we request the government to resume work on the project immediately”.
Hitting out at some activists and NGOs, Menino warned that Colva villagers will no longer tolerate any attempt from any quarter to block the development. “Why should the activists block the toilet block and changing rooms when it is for the common good of the people and the visitors,” he questioned.
Tourist taxi operator Roque Fernandes said not only the visitors, but the stakeholders find it difficult to answer nature’s call for want of a toilet block.
“The lone Sulabh toilet is not in operation while the stop gap arrangement made by installing a couple of mobile toilets have failed to serve the purpose,” he said, while urging the government to build the changing rooms and the toilet block and also clean the Colva beach square of garbage and litter.
