The central government’s Swadesh Darshan, a coastal circuit development scheme, in certain parts of the state seems to have been put on hold owing to a CRZ area issue. Tourism Minister Manohar ‘Babu’ Azgaonkar said that though the Centre has disbursed  funds under the scheme, the work is stuck as many villages have not submitted NOCs or there are cases pending before the NGT. Speaking to media persons on Saturday after meeting with shack owners, Azgaonkar urged the people to co-operate in putting up basic facility on the beaches.
“Under this scheme, toilets, changing rooms and locker systems are to be raised on the beaches. In Calangute and Candolim, the facilities have already been put in place. But in some places, the facilities are still to be built as we have faced hurdles due to the issue of CRZ area. Many people have filed cases before the National Green Tribunal because of which these works are put on hold,” he said.
The state has received Rs 200 crore from the central government under the scheme that was launched in 2017. The works under the scheme are to be completed in two phases, the second phase being for the South Goa. “We had the money to build these toilets, changing rooms and locker systems, but some villages in south had NGT cases against the works for two years, but now we have NOCs and will go ahead,” said Azgaonkar.