PORVORIM, FEB 16
Calangute BJP Block president has strongly opposed the move of Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Tourism department to allow a private party to set up an eco-friendly five-star hotel at Baga under their PPP bandwagon.
Addressing the media in a city hotel at Mapusa on Wednesday, Calangute BJP Block President Michael Lobo has stated that they will fight tooth and nail till the proposal is scrapped.
“The 52,000 sq mtr government land is a prime land in Baga worth Rs 100 crore and to boost tourism, the tourism department should utilise the land for developing the much-needed infrastructure like amusement park, good aquarium, adventure sports, Sulabh souchalayas, bathing rooms and parking lots,” stated Lobo.
“Calangute and Baga areas are already congested and hardly any open space is available there. There are plenty of hotel rooms in Baga and Calangute and what is needed is good infrastructure,”Lobo said.
“Since the tourism department is aware that CRZ authorities will not permit five star hotels in this area, they have mooted the proposal of eco-friendly five-star hotel. There is some hidden agenda in this proposal,” alleged Lobo.
Calangute United President Anthony Menezes said roads in Calangute/Baga are very narrow and they are not in a position to handle additional traffic.
“The government had announced that it will construct four lane roads from Calangute to Sinquerim and Calangute to Baga to ease traffic on the existing narrow roads, but the government has not taken any step to construct these roads but instead they are planning to set up a fire-star hotel,” said Menezes.
“What is required for the residents of Baga and Calangute is a parking place for vehicles and not hotels. If the government desires to offer this place for eco-hotel, then it can offer place for Goans for setting up eco-shacks,” added Menezes.
“Under no circumstance, residents of Calangute and Baga will allow the government to set up eco-friendly 5 star hotels in the open space,” warned Menezes.
Fishing community leader Peter Carvalho, Calangute ZP member Abelina Menezes and the Arpora Panch Cliophus Fernandes were also present for the press conference.
