MARGAO
The Benaulim Panchayat, led by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira and villagers, on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte with a plea not to introduce pay parking on the Benaulim beach parking lot.
The delegation impressed upon the Chief Minister as well as the Tourism Minister that introducing pay parking in the beach parking area would spell doom for tourism and the tourism stakeholders.
After giving a patient hearing, the Chief Minister assured the delegation that he would look into the memorandum and take the necessary action.
In the memorandum submitted separately to the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister, the Panchayat drew their attention to the extraordinary Gram Sabha meeting held on December 5, 2024, which had unanimously passed a resolution objecting to the proposal by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to lease its property at Survey Nos. 365/2A and 365/2B in Benaulim to a private corporation for developing and operating a 3-star (or higher-level) hotel, along with a developed parking lot.
The delegation pointed out that the land in question was acquired at a nominal rate to develop tourism-related infrastructure, adding that leasing it to private players contradicts the original purpose. The resolution pointed out that the transfer of public property to private entities at higher rates resembles a real estate scam disguised as development, benefiting only select private parties.
“The parking lot at Survey No. 365/2A was recently developed using taxpayers' money and has been functional for less than three years. It is cost-effective for GTDC to maintain and should remain public,” the memorandum stated, adding that the lack of alternate parking in Benaulim will deprive locals and tourists of free parking, causing vehicles to congest main roads and disrupt traffic.
Saying that the private corporation operates a nearby hotel and appears to need the parking area for its guests, raising concerns about revenue leakage and misuse of public property, the memorandum asserted that paid parking and private control may deter visitors, affecting local businesses (shack operators, water sports, taxi operators).
The Panchayat has pointed out that if the GTDC finds it unviable to maintain the parking lot, it should be handed over to the village body for management and operation. “The government and GTDC should collaborate with the Gram Sabha and Panchayat to explore better and more economical uses of the property,” the memorandum added.
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Traditional fishermen reiterate demand for hatchery land
Benaulim traditional fishermen, under the banner of Niz Ramponkarancho Ekvott (NRE), along with Panchayat members and villagers, knocked on the doors of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to allot a portion of the defunct Benaulim hatchery land for fishing activities.
Traditional fishermen, including Pele Fernandes, Remy Fernandes, and Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier Pereira, impressed upon the Chief Minister that allocating a portion of the hatchery land would go a long way in boosting traditional fishing activities in the village.
The Chief Minister has assured to call for the file to study the pros and cons of the demand made by the traditional fishermen.
“We have been knocking on the doors of the government for the last two years. Last year, at the feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa, the proposal was raised by Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai with the Chief Minister. However, nothing has come of it," Pele said.
“Many times, we fishermen have proposed to utilise a part of the foreshore land of the Fisheries Department for foreshore facilities like a net mending shed, ice plant, fish storage unit, parking shed for fishing canoes, repair shed for fishing boats, and other fisher-related activities in Benaulim village,” the memorandum stated, calling upon the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and provide relief to the traditional fishermen.
