the goan I network
MARGAO
With the Colva beach beautification project under Coastal Circuit Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Salcete hit by delays, officials of various agencies descended at Colva to take stock of the ground realities.
The inspection comes against the backdrop of locals pointing out that the beach beautification plan is still dragging for months now. A senior official pointed out that the inspection was conducted to overcome the road blocks and bottlenecks which has come in the way of the implementation of the scheme.
The officials inspected the area where the proposed toilets are proposed for construction and also took stock of the construction of the traffic island at the entrance to the beach. The ongoing work of construction of the nullah passing through the coconut grove was also
inspected.
Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar in the presence of Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao had on July 10, 2018 launched the Rs 13.87 crore Tourism Infrastructure Development Project, including parking and illumination of the world famous Colva and Benaulim beach belt.
Of the total Rs 13.87 crore, an amount of Rs 11.67 crore will be spent on infrastructure in Colva beach, which includes road beautification at Colva beach; beautification of existing island; pathways, drainages etc; construction of toilet block with changing rooms; four-wheeler parking for 80 vehicles; two-wheeler parking for 327 vehicles; bus parking for 54 vehicles; play equipments for children play area; landscaping and illumination.
Infrastructure planned at the Benaulim beach at a cost of Rs 2.20 crore, includes pathway with seating at Benaulim beach; four-wheeler parking for 102 vehicles; two-wheeler parking for 152 vehicles, landscaping and illumination.
While the work was expected to start immediately after the laying of foundation stone by the Tourism Minister, work on the toilets was delayed for the last couple of months
for want of NOC on the question of CRZ.
State admin continues to struggle
in tackling stray menace
MARGAO: Will the beautification plan implemented at the world famous Colva beach have any news in store for local populace hit by the stray dog menace on the beach?
While the Tourism department is implementing the beautification works under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the State administration has no plans in place how to tackle the menace posed by the strays.
In fact, local Colva panchayat had in the past made correspondence to the government authorities to work out a mechanism to keep the stray dogs at bay on Colva beach, but in vain.
Locals pointed out that while the beach belt is invaded by the stray dogs during the tourism season when the beach plays host to the traditional beach shacks, the canines make their presence felt in the village in search of food.
