Will Tourism Department fulfill the long pending demands of developing and beautifying the abandoned and neglected beaches of Quepem constituency? This is what opposition leader Chandrakant Babu Kavalekar and voters of the constituency are wondering.
Will these beautiful beaches from Quepem Constituency also shine like that of Colva, Benaulim and Palolem? Will residents close to neglected beaches get the opportunity to taste the benefit of tourism? Will the youth from these areas get an opportunity for start-ups at these beaches? Why these virgin beaches are not exposed to tourists? Why government is not developing these beaches and bringing them on the tourism map? The Quepem voters want the Goa Tourism Department to answer these questions.
For the last several years Kavalekar is raising this issue of developing these beaches which fall in Quepem Constituency.
The Leader of the Opposition had recently raised this issue at the meeting of Tourism Department called by the department to discuss on how to utilise the Rs 200 crores fund received from the Central government under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Kavalekar had demanded to develop six beaches Betul, Canaguinim, Nuvem, Rajbag, Cola, Kakol, and Cabo de Ram fort and Cabo de Rama beach.
Taking the cognisance of Kavalekar’s demand, the Tourism Department in principle had agreed to develop six beaches under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The Tourism Department officials had inspected all six tourism spots and found out what infrastructure and other essential needs have to be set up. Local sarpanchas, panch members and residents of this area urged the Tourism Department’s officers to develop these beaches. Local youths are also demanding to create infrastructure on these beaches so that more Indian and foreign tourists can visit these beaches. Locals are expecting employment opportunities if these beaches are developed.
Officials of Tourism Department, along with the Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, EE Arun Naik, Vishal Potatai, Ashwin Naik, Leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar, Sarpanchas and Panchas of Betul and Khola panchayat made a survey of all six spots. They had found that there are ample of opportunities to develop these beaches and the age old Historical fort of Cabo de Rama. The Tourism delegation has identified places to set up infrastructure, sources said. It is also learnt that the Tourism department has agreed to develop all the six beaches through Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
All these six beaches are naturally beautiful and can attract more tourists. Khola and Kakol beach, if developed, could compete with Colva and Agonda beaches. Rajbag beach, which is the best picnic spots for locals, has beautiful silver sand. Here the tourists can enjoy both sea bath and the fresh water spring bath at the same place. The only problem is there is no proper way to reach at this spot.
