MARGAO
Who’s responsible for the scrapping of the Colva circuit project, mooted under the Central government scheme to boost infrastructure and beautification in the tourist villages of Betalbatim, Colva and Benaulim?
Thought the project has now been down and out, this question has come to the fore two days after Tourism Minister Babu Azgaonkar on the floor of the House sought to point accusing fingers at social activist Judith Almeida as being responsible for the scrapping of the Colva circuit project.
While the Tourism Minister told the House that the project was delayed after the activist knocked the doors of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and stayed the project, the social activist has begged to differ with the Tourism Minister. In fact, Judith made it clear that the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum had only challenged the construction of the controversial “Viewing Tower with Gallery” in the CRZ-NDZ zone in gross violation of the rules in force.
“The Forum had only challenged the ‘Viewing Tower with Gallery’ project and not the entire beautification plan as is made out to be. The point here is if they were really interested in the beautification plan, what stopped them? It is apparent that they were more interested in the tower which was illegal and it was meant to butter the developer and some vested interests,” Judith told The Goan on Friday.
She further said the later part of the NGT order is clearly a cautionary notice for the government. “It was not about the beautification. It is time that the vested interests in the government get their facts right. Because, if they did an honest job of proper and selfless planning and implementation, common citizens would not have to stand up to them, we would have been better preoccupied doing other service to society. Greed and avarice of governments is the reason why citizens are forced to unite and fight for their right to better governance,” Judith added.
The NGT had disposed of the Forum’s application after it observed that additional affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent No. 5 Ameya Abhyankar clearly shows that the decision has been taken to drop “Viewing Tower with Gallery” from the project “Tourism Infrastructure Development for Colva Coastal Circuit”- proposed to be implemented in Survey No.37/11(Part) and 37/2(Part) in village Colva by State of Goa.
“The purpose of the present application is therefore, duly served and nothing remains to be decided. Still, however, in view of Section 20 of the NGT Act, by applying precautionary measures, we direct that no activity which is likely to cause environmental adverse impact in the CRZ-NDZ area of Colva shall be undertaken, within the area in dispute henceforth and the applicant will be at liberty to challenge such activity, if any new design or plan is prepared which infringes or violates the provisions of CRZ Regulation in the disputed area,” the NGT had observed while disposing of the application.
