Storm brewing along Salcete’s coastline over pay parking project at Colva beach

MARGAO
A storm is brewing along Salcete’s coast with local fishermen and tourism stakeholders coming out openly against Tourism Department’s controversial pay parking project at the world famous Colva beach, demanding immediate scrapping of the project.

The fishermen and stakeholders raised a pertinent query – why should Niz Goemkars pay fees for parking when they come to the iconic beach for a bath and to enjoy the beauty? They feared that introduction of pay parking at the Colva beach would drive away tourists to the North Goan beaches.

Days after South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, IAS notified the pay parking project at the Colva beach, a delegation of fishermen and tourism stakeholders from Colva and Benaulim called on Salcete’s lone Minister, Aleixo Sequeira on Friday to make a fervent plea to scrap the project.

Traditional fisherman Pele Fernandes drew the attention of Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira that the tourism stakeholders, including the beach shack and restaurant operators are in deep trouble, adding that introduction of pay parking would spell doom for the tourism industry. “Why should the people pay Rs 200 and Rs 100 just to visit the iconic beach. The days of foreigners and domestic tourists are almost over. If the parking project sees light of the day, even locals will stay away from the beach, affecting tourism,” Pele feared.

Recalling how Aleixo Sequeira had helped the people of Benaulim constituency when he was the Power Minister, Pele said the delegation has approached the Environment Minister to scrap the project.

Colva-based stakeholder Eulogio Gomes questioned whether local Goemkars will come to Colva if the parking project entails fees on two-wheelers and four-wheelers. “Local tourism stakeholders are passing through a difficult phase and the introduction of the pay parking fees will only aggravate the situation,” he said, while demanding to know whether Colva residents will have to also pay for parking of vehicles.

He suggested that the Goa registration vehicles should be exempted from the purview of the pay parking fees, as he invited the Environment Minister to see for himself the ground reality at Colva. “You are the only Minister from this side. Please use your good office to scrap the pay parking project,” Gomes requested Sequeira.

Local residents operating small businesses, including rent-a-bike business, feared for their business as the project would mandate them to pay parking fees 24x7.

The Goan had recently carried a story on the notification issued by the South Goa district Collector to introduce pay parking at the Colva beach. It is feared in local tourism circles that pay parking will be extended to all beaches along Salcete’s coastal belt, including Benaulim where the government has developed a parking lot.