PERNEM
While the proposed Entertainment Village at Junaswada area is expected to generate huge revenue to the Mandrem panchayat, the Sarpanch Subhash Asolkar has voiced cautious optimism as the panchayat had no details about the project.
“If good projects are being set up in Mandrem, we will obviously welcome it. But the panchayat has not been notified of any such project. We are getting updates from media persons,” said Asolkar.
“First, I’ll learn what sort of project is being set up in the village and then I will take all panch members into confidence, before the panchayat puts forth its position in the matter.”
Agreeing with Asolkar, MGP leader Jeet Arolkar said it was important for the panchayat to be clearly informed about the ‘Entertainment Village’ proposed in the village.
“The public should be informed about details on the project and whether it is a green project or a concrete one,” said Arolkar.
Mandrem is being projected as the next entertainment hub of the State, with an ambitious Rs 300 crore Entertainment Village being planned on 1.5 lakh sq mtrs of land in Junaswada area of the coastal village.
The Entertainment Village will have amenities such as a sound-proof auditorium with a parking area, mini studio, starred hotel and conference hall capable of hosting 500 people. The foundation stone for the project is being planned for December 19.
GTDC chairman and Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte said he had discussed the project at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Secretariat, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar, Pernem Deputy Collector Ravishankar Nipanikar and other GTDC officials on Wednesday.
Revealing more details about the project, Sopte said 1.64 lakh sq mtrs of land is presently in possession of the revenue department.
“An electricity substation will be set up on 14,000 sq mtrs of land, while the remaining 1.5 lakh sq mtrs rest will be handed over to GTDC through the tourism department for the proposed Entertainment Village,” said Sopte.
When contacted, Ajgaonkar said the proximity of the Entertainment Village is expected to attract thousands of tourists, given its close proximity to the Mopa International Airport under construction.
“The project will generate employment opportunities for thousands of people,” said Ajgaonkar.
If and when completed, locals said the Entertainment Village at Junaswada-Mandrem will be the biggest project in Mandrem constituency.
They recalled that former Mandrem MLAs, then minister Ramakant Khalap had proposed a cyber city, while then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar wanted a Kala Bhavan at the site. But none these projects materialised.
Claiming that the project would reduce noise pollution in the coastal area in North Goa, GTDC Director Sudesh Sawant said, “Music festivals without proper planning create a lot of noise. With the Entertainment Village, organisers of such music festivals will now have a sound-proof auditorium.”
