TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Tourists and visitors can now finally hope to see toilets and changing room facilities, besides beautification of the long-neglected Colva, Benaulim and Betalbatim beaches.
The government on Thursday launched the Colva coastal circuit tourism infrastructure development project covering the three beaches at a cost of Rs 14.45 crore. Besides toilets and changing rooms, the project envisages gardens, parking, pathways, restaurant and illumination of the areas.
At Colva, the project has mooted car parking facility to accommodate 140 cars, adventure sports theme park near Colva residence, beautification and improvement of the existing island with a statue of local fishermen and restaurant near the beach.
What’s significant to note is that the project has mooted a two-km long beach pathway connectning Betalbatim to Colva and Benaulim.
The three-meter wide pathway will comprise of wooden piles, geo textile, rubble packed in the nylon net, shot blast paver etc. The pathway will have seating area.
After laying the foundation stone in the presence of MLAs Mickky Pacheco and Caitu Silva, ZP Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues and Colva Sarpanch Snowkon Gonsalves, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said the project will be completed within 270 days, excluding monsoons.
“The Colva circuit project was initiated by former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco, but could not take off due to various reasons. The project will help in the development of the beach belt”, he said, while saying the department will be open for suggestions.
In his address, Nuvem legislator Mickky Pacheco said the completion of the project will change the face of tourism in the three village. “I had proposed the circuit project because I had the vision to beautify these villages”, he said.
Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva sought cooperation of the villagers in the successful implementation of the project, while South Goa ZP Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues urged the government to allay the apprehensions of the villagers before implementing the project.
