PANAJI
With due deference to the CRZ-related issues, the Goa government is keen on developing all beaches in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.
Sawant was speaking to reporters in Panaji after inaugurating the 'beautified' Miramar beach, for which Rs 12 crore had been spent from the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited kitty.
"Barring those where CRZ issues exist, we want to develop all beaches. We are also very much concerned about the environment," Sawant told reporters, while also emphasising that the beautification of Miramar beach spread over thousands of sq metres had been carried out without cutting a single tree.
"Not a single tree has been cut (during the beautification). Eco-friendly material has been used for the project," Sawant said.
As part of the beautification process, Sawant said a walkway had been created, along with a children's park.
He also said that the bandstand at the beach had been maintained at the shore, just the way it was in the colonial days.
"Many governments have tried to develop the Miramar beach, but for the first time, Rs 12 crore has been spent from Smart City (funds) to create a walkway, children's park and a designated area for bands. During the Portuguese time (too) there was a designated area for bands, those areas have been maintained," Sawant said.
The Chief Minister also said that it was now up to the Corporation of the City of Panaji to maintain the areas developed using 'Smart City' funds.
"Responsibility for maintenance (of the beautification works) is with CCP. I hope the corporators will come up with a module to maintain it," Sawant said.
