PANJIM: Amidst growing opposition to the Rs 1000 cr Chapora riverfront development project, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said it will generate self-employment, services and attract high-end tourists to the State.
Under the Chapora riverfront development projects seven places have been proposed to be developed for tourism activities. While social activists are up in arms against it, a few land owners have volunteered to give away their land if there is no eco-destruction.
Speaking to media persons, Parsekar said the project is so far only on paper and he has asked the consultant to show the project report and explain it to the villagers.
“The project is proposed by me as I want to promote hinterland tourism in Pernem taluka. It will help in attracting high-end tourists in this taluka. In my opinion it is one of the best projects which will attract high-end tourists and also create employment for locals,” Parsekar said.
In view of the international airport at Mopa, he said he wanted to develop some tourism projects in Pernem taluka. He also said that the project report has been shown to the concerned panchayat members and zilla panchayat members and they appreciated the project. “We have not imposed this project on anyone,” he added.
He said the government will not acquire land for the project but investors have to buy the land or take the landowner as a partner in the project. He also said that if a person wants to sell land to the investors then it will be purchased as per the price demanded by the land owner.
The consultant informed the government that investors are ready to invest in all seven places. “If anyone asks me I will advise them not to sale their land but be a partner with the investor,” Parsekar said.
“In view of Mopa airport we have to create more tourist destinations in the State,” Parsekar said adding that these should be developed in the hinterland and not in the coastal belt.
