PANAJI
Notwithstanding locals opposition, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has announced it will go ahead with its proposed Unity Mall project at Chimbel.
The announcement came a day after the Chimbel residents, during a Gram Sabha on Sunday, raised their unanimous voice against the State government’s two ambitious projects -- PrashasanStambh (Administrative Building) and Unity Mall.
This was the third gram sabha meeting wherein the residents have raised their opposition to the Unity Mall project arguing that the proposed location for the mall is “a wetland area adjacent to Chimbel lake”, which is considered ecologically fragile.
Speaking to media persons, GTDC chairman Ganesh Gaonkar clearly said that he is unbothered by the opposition. “We are not bothered about their opposition,” he said.
The GTDC has proposed to build Rs 132 crore Unity Mall on 12,000sqm at Chimbel under Central government’s scheme to promote One District One Product (ODOP) items. The project will have outdoor exhibition areas, a children’s play area and an amphitheatre aside from conference rooms. Government intends to put on sale every state’s product at the Unity Mall.
