the goan I network
MAPUSA
Egging coastal MLAs to come forward with a concrete development plan, Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar on Friday said the government wanted to develop the entire coastal belt of the State.
“I want to develop the entire coastal belt just like Calangute. I request all MLAs of the coastal belt to keep party affiliations aside and prepare a plan and approach me,” Ajgaonkar said.
The tourism minister was speaking at a function to inaugurate beautification of Calangute Tinto and surrounding areas of Shantadurga Temple and Sant Khuris chapel in Calangute on Friday evening.
Ajgaonkar said the State has received Rs 250 crore from the central government for the development of the
coastal belt.
He said if the State fails to utilize the funds then it will be taken back by the central government.
Giving the local MLA Michael Lobo a pat on his back, the tourism minister said Calangute MLA worked day and night to get work done in his constituency.
“If you can see so much development in Calangute, it is only because of your MLA,” Ajgaonkar said. “Wherever there is Michael Lobo there is development,” he added.
He said tourists coming to Goa first visit Calangute and Baga and then the rest of Goa.
“So, it is imperative the focus of development is on Calangute. But the local MLA also is very forceful and is always on his toes trying and pushing for infrastructure in this belt,” he said.
Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo said locals should benefit first from any development programme.
“There was no parking space for local motorcycle pilots near the Calangute Tinto. We have identified appropriate place for such pilots. Similarly, there was only one rickshaw stand in Calangute. Now, two more places have been identified and some more will identified in Baga,” Lobo said.
He said just like the state of the art toilet block constructed in Candolim, two such blocks were in the process of construction in Baga “ one near the parking spot and another below the Tito’s club.
The MLA said another two toilet blocks will be built near the Calangute parking lot and at Gauravaddo.
As part of the beautification of the Calangute Tinto, department of tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd will spend around Rs 1.28 crore.
Sanguem MLA, Prasad Gaonkar, Calangute Sarpanch, Anthony Menezes, ZP member, Dattaprasad Dabholkar and several panch members Calangtue, Candolim and Arpora-Nagao were also present for the function.
