TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: None of the six tourism projects sanctioned and approved by the Government of India (GoI) which were proposed by Goa over the last three years are anywhere nearing completion with all hitting roadblocks at early stages leaving Rs 64.56 crore funds sanctioned by the Centre in limbo. 

The Government of India had approved six projects -- the setting up of Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology at Farmagudi, Ponda, the construction of an auditorium and convention centre at Fatorda Margao, the Tourism Infrastructure Development for Colva Coastal Circuit, the Development of Goa Haat at Panjim, Baga Beach Tourism Destination Development in Goa and the development of Green Belt in Panjim. 

The Institute of Hotel Management was approved on March 5, 2010 and Rs 12 crore was sanctioned for the same. 

According to a reply given in the Assembly, the project was proposed in the land belonging to the Tourism Department at Farmagudi. However, the temple authority of Gopal Ganapati Saunsthan and local people objected saying the sanctity of the temple would be spoilt due to cooking of meat/non-vegetarian items in the premises. The Government then decided to shift the project in the land belonging to the Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi. The land has already been transferred to the Tourism Department and the consultant has prepared fresh drawings which have been submitted to the TCP department for approval. The approvals are yet to arrive. 

The Auditorium and Convention Centre which was to come up near Bal Bhavan, Campal for which 5 crore was sanctioned was rejected citing traffic problems. The Department then decided to shift it to Fatorda. The consultant has prepared plans but they are awaiting SGPDA approval. 

The Tourism Infrastructure Development for Colva as well as the Baga beach tourism Destination Development in Goa which have 

Rs 7.58 crore and Rs 4.97 crore allocated respectively in November 2010 and July 2011 are awaiting approval of the GCZMA since both fall in CRZ areas. 

The Development of Goa Haat for which Rs 5 crore is sanctioned is also awaiting Government approval and is scheduled to come up on land belonging to the Tourism Department where the old Tourism Department functioned. 

The development of Green Belt in Panjim for which the biggest chunk Rs 30 crore was sanctioned is awaiting approvals from authorities with only the Forest Department approval being issued so far for the development of Mahavir Jayant Park and Ambedkar garden.