Uproar at Vagator over GTDC’s tourism project

TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Residents of Vagator, Chapora and Anjuna on Monday marched to the Anjuna-Caisua Panchayat office and demanded revocation of the permission granted to Goa Tourism Development Corporation to set up a tourism project at Vagator Beach.
The locals questioned the logic of GTDC in leasing out the property to a Delhi-based company and carry out constructions in No Development Zone within 200 mtrs HTL in CRZ III. They also demanded immediate relief to the locals who have been carrying out their small businesses to support themselves and their families.
The petition, signed by the locals and handed over to Anjuna-Caisua Sarpanch Pratima Govekar, also condemned the demolition of kiosks at Vagator by the GTDC with the help of government machinery to indispose the locals who have been making a living on tourism-related business.
“The demolitions were carried out to facilitate the GTDC/government to propose an entertainment park through private parties. We are appalled with the facilities and structures proposed within the No Development Zone and community recreation area including four temporary shacks, two restaurants on existing structure, 12 huts, three wells, amphitheatre for promoting events and concerts, day-and-night bazaar, children play area, shelter for tourists and other amusement-related activities,” states the petition.
The petition further stated that the villagers have been using the entire project area as picnic spot for generations together especially during summer months. “The young and old also visit the beach for medicinal bath at Vagator beach, which is shallow and safe for bathing as compared to other beaches.”
“Some structures are also being proposed along the mud road leading to small Vagator, where all traditional shacks are situated for ages. The fishing jetty used by traditional fishermen for their canoes is blocked and being illegally developed for commercial purpose by private party,” stated the petition.
Briefing media persons, Fr Maverick Fernandes said the GTDC has leased the property to outsiders for commercial projects by displacing the locals, who have been surviving on the trade for years together.
“Goans cannot be displaced at the cost of outsiders and it is high time Anjuna-Caisua Panchayat revokes the NOC/permission granted to GTDC for the project on the ground of false information. The panchayat has every right to revoke the NOC/permission granted to GTDC at Vagator Beach,” said Fr Fernandes.
Anjuna-Caisua Sarpanch Govekar has assured the villagers to revoke the NOC/permission granted to GTDC as per the clause, where GTDC was supposed to furnish proper details of the project.
According to Govekar, there is a clause stipulated in the NOC/permission that exact details of the project will have to be furnished by GTDC, which they did not have
and hence the permission can be revoked.