the goan I network
PANAJI
Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said on Thursday that the government is yet to receive any complaint either from the locals or any other quarter to the proposal to set up a 36-room three-star or higher category hotel in Kesarval through the GTDC.
Ajgaonkar said, the hotel project is planned on GTDC-owned land of around 28,000 sqmts and will be built independent of the famous Kesarval spring with free access for locals continuing unhindered.
The minister was responding to a question tabled by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo who wanted the government to scrap the project citing opposition from locals and the area being a biodiversity spot already under pressure from the adjoining Verna industrial estate and hill cutting for the NH expansion project.
Ajgaonkar however said the project tendered twice already had found no bidders.
He said the project will be implemented in consultation with locals and in this direction a meeting had already been conducted with the local MLA, sarpanch, panch members and residents in June.
A letter from local MLA Alina Saldanha summarizing the suggestions and discussion of this meeting is being considered for incorporation in the project before tendering it again, Ajgaonkar said.
The minister however did not respond to Lourenco’s demand that the project be scrapped.
Meanwhile, the Kesarval spring whose waters the locals believe has medicinal value, will be developed separately by the GTDC, the minister said.
Ajgaonkar said all local concerns will be addressed and GTDC is open to public suggestions.
“Efforts will be made to execute the project without damaging the local environment and by preserving the beauty and sanctity of the spring,” he said.
Ajgaonkar also said that media reports suggested that some persons have voiced opposition to the project but insisted that no letter or correspondence has been received from the protestors till date.
