l Alina takes cognisance of complaint against development activity, inspects site
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Government’s Rs 15 crore Colva Tourism Circuit plan has come under Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) scanner following complaints from activists that a restaurant cum shopping centre is being built allegedly in a no development zone in violation of existing rules.
Taking cognisance of the serious complaint against the development activity, Environment Minister Alina Saldanha and GCZMA Member Secretary Srinet Kothawale inspected the construction site at Colva along with Benaulim MLA Caitano Silva and other officials.
While the consultant has denied any violation of Coastal Regulation Zone norms, claiming the construction does not come under the no development zone, the GCZMA has unofficially called for a halt to the activity pending verification of the survey plans.
In another development, the consultant has been asked to produce permissions and licences obtained from the Town and Country Planning department and the Colva Village Panchayat.
Social activist Judith Almeida who had complained to the minister about the construction activity in an alleged no development zone, called for an immediate stop to the construction activity and the restoration of the land to its original condition. She demanded from the consultant/contractor the permissions from the TCP and the panchayat in respect of the construction activity, demanding to know why the circuit plan was not placed before the Colva gram sabha for the benefit of the villagers.
While the consultant has claimed that execution of the Circuit plan is being done following the green signal from GTDC, questions are being raised whether government had floated any tender, inviting bids from prospective bidders for the project.
Activists also raised apprehensions that toilets located opposite the Colmar hotel, would discharge waste and sewage into the already contaminated Colva creek.
The Environment Minister is believed to have given a patient hearing to Almeida and others before asking the GCZMA member secretary to inquire and verify documents and ascertain whether the construction falls in the no development zone.
