Team Herald
MARGAO: Following weeks of protests and meetings, the Cana-Benaulim Village Panchayat and the residents have pinned their hopes on the government to protect the GTDC parking lot at Benaulim Beach from being privatised.
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During a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the delegation submitted a detailed memorandum, highlighting their objections to the proposed leasing of the public property for private development.
Sarpanch Xavier Pereira reiterated the community’s unanimous opposition to leasing the GTDC land at Survey Nos. 365/2A and 365/2B for constructing a hotel and parking lot by a private entity. The resolutions passed during a gram sabha on December 5, 2024, and a follow-up panchayat meeting on December 20 formed the basis of their objections. Pereira said that public land, acquired for tourism infrastructure, must remain accessible to the community and not be used for commercial
ventures.
The locals raised concerns about potential misuse of public resources, describing the proposal as a move that could amount to a real estate scam under the pretext of development. The panchayat noted that the parking lot, recently developed using taxpayers’ money, is still operational and plays a vital role in reducing traffic congestion.
They warned that leasing the land could restrict beach access and adversely impact small businesses reliant on tourism. They also flagged ecological risks, noting the presence of sand dunes that could be jeopardised by large-scale development.
The lcoals proposed either retaining GTDC’s control of the parking lot or transferring its management to the panchayat to ensure it remains a public amenity and recommended forming a task force to work directly with government and explore sustainable, community-focused alternatives that generate revenue without compromising public interests.
