Oppn to pay parking project at Colva beach gains momentum

MARGAO
Opposition to government’s controversial pay parking project at the Colva beach gained momentum during the weekend, with politicians joining the bandwagon in opposing the pay parking at the world famous beach, warning that the government should immediately scrap the project or face the wrath of the people.

If former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco coming out openly against the project to oppose pay parking tooth and nail, Varca-based Warren Alemao wondered whether it is part of the government’s agenda to target Salcete and the business activities along the tourism belt, asserting that the pay parking project would spell doom for tourism at Colva.

They feared that the government would implement pay parking across Salcete coastal belt if they had its way in implementing the project at Colva.

A day after a delegation comprising of fishermen and the tourism stakeholders from Salcete’s coastal belt called on Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira with a plea to use his good office with the government to scrap the pay parking project at Colva, former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco said he would be in the forefront in the opposition against the controversial project.

Sending a clear message to drop plans to introduce pay parking at the Colva beach, Mickky said the government should explore other avenues to tone up revenue for the exchequer. “Certain pay parking is not the right mode to earn revenue. It is not fair to levy parking charges on local Goans as well as outsiders who come to Colva to enjoy its beauty,” Mickky said, while demanding that the government immediately reconsider the project.

He added: “I have thrice represented Benaulim constituency during the career as MLA. I also had a sting as the State’s Tourism Minister, but never had I taken any decision against the people and the tourism stakeholders. If the government does not listen to the voice of the people, then the people will have to hit the streets to wake up the government.”

Mickky feared that the Tourism Department will introduce pay parking projects across Salcete’s coastal belt, including Benaulim, Betalbatim, Varca and Cavelossim which would spell doom for the tourism industry.

Warren Alemao has condemned the decision of the government to introduce pay parking at Colva beach. “The government of India has declared Colva as an iconic beach. People come in droves to the beach to enjoy its beach. How can the government even think of introducing pay parking at Colva,” he questioned.

Saying the government has been targeting Salcete and its people with ill-conceived project, Warren suspected a conspiracy to drive away the tourists visiting Colva to the North of Goa. “Come what may, the people of Colva in particular and Saxttikars in general will not allow the government to bulldoze its way with the pay parking project,” he said.