GTDC seeks coastal clearance for Colva beach redevelopment plan

Shopping and food court plaza besides pedestrian bridges proposed by GTDC at the existing tourism complex at Colva.

MARGAO
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has knocked the doors of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) seeking NOC for its grandiose plan to set up a shopping and food court plaza, a beach deck, besides reconstruction of the pedestrian bridges at the world class Colva beach under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.

The project includes shopping and food court plaza, shopping complex, beach deck, reconstruction of a pedestrian bridge, vehicular bridge and construction of a new pedestrian bridge. The project further includes hawkers plaza on an area admeasuring 320 square metres.

In respect of the shopping and food court plaza, the proposal and scope of work submitted to the GCZMA includes reconstruction of existing structures with attached temporary structures besides a shopping and food court plaza, including three buildings with beautification around the structures.

As far as the proposed shopping complex is concerned, the GTDC has mooted reconstruction of existing shopping complex (permanent) with beautification around the shopping complex.

The proposal also includes a beach deck on an area admeasuring 1569 square metres.

Sources in the know pointed out that the GTDC’s proposal had come for discussion at the 427th meeting of the GCZMA held on January 28 last.

A glance of the GCZMA meeting shows that the Authority after detailed discussions had decided to call the project proponent for clarification on the ground that a proper Environment Impact Assessment study from an authorised agency is necessary prior to commencement of reconstruction of the pedestrian bridge and vehicular bridge.

It was further decided that if the structure is not depicted on the survey plan, then relevant documents showing existence of the structure prior to 1991 is required.

It was further observed that the applicant needs to submit revised drawings, NOC’s from others occupants in survey number 23/1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 37/1, 6, 11, 38/0 of Village Colva, Salcete Taluka in support to their application.

The GTDC has moved the GCZMA for the NOC months after Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had an interaction with the stakeholders, including the stall owners, panchayat body and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas how to go about the implementation of the Swadesh Darshan scheme 2.0.

Colva forum red-flags GTDC’s coastal development plans

MARGAO: The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum has red flagged GTDC’s ambitious plan, saying there is absolutely no legal or technical justification for issuing any permission, asserting that if there is existing construction in the CRZ-1A and 1B, it has to be removed.

Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Secretary Judith Almeida has filed her objections to the GTDC’s proposal for development in the CRZ– 14, CRZ– 1B and CRZ– 111 of Colva before the Chairman, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority on March 6.

Referring to the claim made by the applicants they are going for reconstruction, Judith said reconstruction means no changes to the height, width and breadth of the structure. “To substantiate a reconstruction claim, the applicants need to submit clear documentation proving that this structure existed before 1991 as reconstruction is only permitted for existing structures. While reconstruction may entail use of concrete, given the incredible environmental risk, it is highly recommended that only eco-friendly materials be used with no steel or concrete foundations,” Judith said.

She added: “If there is existing construction needing reconstruction in the CRZ-II, then strict scrutiny needs to be applied. When applying strict Scrutiny to this application, the Precautionary Principle must be followed. In my opinion, this project does not clear the threshold to fit within the Precautionary Principle. This land is unstable, as the sand dunes shift from time to time, and there have been several cases of properties including GTDC toilets failing structurally because of the shifting sands. The current area, being a sand dune provides essential buffer for our village from cyclones and other natural disasters, and the concretisation of this project on the dune will completely imperil the lives of the residents”.

Judith pointed out that strict conditions on CRZ land have been instituted to safeguard the socio-environmental character of Coastal Property, as an essential space for traditional occupation, and as an environmentally fragile area, upon which any construction may cause harm to not only this construction, but also surrounding lives, livelihood and property of other Colva citizens.

Judith told the media that she has lodged her objection based on the proposal filed by GTDC before the GCZMA in January last. “I do not know whether the GCZMA cleared the GDTC proposal. If the answer is in the affirmative, the Forum will take all steps to protect Colva beach and the ecology from destruction,” she vowed.