Asserting the need for immediate finalisation of the coastal zone management plan (CZMP) for the State, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday told the House that the delay will have a severe impact on the tourism sector. 
Sawant reiterated that the government has scrapped the draft CZMP and is holding consultations with the people to get inputs, which would be incorporated for making necessary corrections in the plan. “All the permissions related to coastal belt development depends on finalisation of CZMP. The delay in finalising the plan will have severe impact on tourism,” he said. 
MGP MLA Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar had pointed out how several projects undertaken by the Tourism Department under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Central government, have been held back in absence of the CRZ NOC from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). 
As per information tabled on the floor of the House by Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, 87 projects under the scheme have been completed while 41 projects have been held up. 
 
Ajgaonkar, too, stressed on the need for immediate approval and finalisation of the plan. “CZMP has to be finalised at the earliest or else the tourism sector will be badly affected. We will be in no position to undertake any developmental works including construction of toilets and changing room for visitors on the beach,” the Minister said. 
He slammed NGOs for misguiding the people on the plan and urged people not to fall prey to the false propaganda but support the government in making necessary corrections to the draft plan.