By SUDESH BHOSLE | NT
VASCO: The Baina beach, which was considered to be a black spot on the tourism map of Goa for over four decades, is on its way to regain the past glory. But, for the beach to regain its lost glory in totality a beautification and development plan needs to be implemented with utmost seriousness.
The change has come about with the demolition, in June 2004, of over 250-odd cubicles that were occupied by the commercial sex workers.
The beach was once upon a time popular as ‘chowpati,’ attracting hundreds of people wanting to spend their leisure time; there used to be entertainment events in the early 70s on the beach.
Presently, the civic authority, and youth organisations are making efforts to draw the crowd to the beach by organizing various programmes including summer festivals, but their efforts need to be properly channelised.
The beach cleaning, beach development and beach beautification are the three major aspects which need to be touched. If these three factors are addressed properly, attracting the tourists in large numbers to the beach would not be a tough task; this will also boost the economy of the port town.
Despite the fact that the cubicles, lying in the government property, were razed seven and half years ago on June 14, 2004, the flesh trade is being allegedly continued in the structures lying in the municipal property next to the Ravindra Bhavan project.
Although the authorities are aware of the fact, no action has been forthcoming to stop the sex trade. The continuation of the flesh trade could be one the reasons for the people not to step onto the beach during the evening time.
The events being organised at the beach get a good response, but there is no system in place to keep the surroundings clean; plan for beautification and development is found wanting.
The Drishti Special Response, which is having its base at the beach, are maintaining the beach for the last about five to six years, but there have been no efforts on the part of the government (tourism department) to deploy workers to maintain the beach clean.
A well designed development and beautification plan besides timely cleaning of the beach could help it in drawing foreign as well as domestic tourists to it.
The economy of Vasco which has slowed down for the last about six to seven years could also get an impetus, if the beach is developed and beautified in a well-planned manner.
When contacted, the Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza, informed that the Ravindra Bhavan project which is coming up at Baina in the government property has restricted the encroachers.
Mr D’Souza further stressed the need to initiate action against the illegal activities at Baina.
"Beautification of the beach is very much needed to draw tourists to it," he stated, and added that "we should first see the interest of the people and stop the illegal trade which is being continued near the beach."
He disclosed that he has a major plan to develop and beautify the beach, and added that he has forwarded the report of the project estimated to cost of ` 2.5 crore to the government, which would be taken up during the next financial year.
The Revenue Minister informed that the whole stretch of the Baina beach, starting from Desterro to Katem-Baina, measuring about 1.5 kilometer in length, would be beautified as per the requirements of the people and the tourists.
"Baina beach would be considered as one of the major tourist destinations in the state after the beautification and development project is completed," he informed.
He also mentioned about the island located off Baina coast, which he plans to open up for tourists by introducing a boat service.
The Revenue Minister disclosed that at present the Tourism Department has sanctioned ` 50 lakh for the beautification of Baina beach.
He maintained that the sanctioned amount of ` 50 lakh would be utilized for the erecting three high masts at the beach and the remaining fund would be utilized for landscaping.
When contacted, the director of Goa Tourism, Mr Swapnil Naik, disclosed that the file pertaining to the project of development and beautification of Baina beach, costing ` 2.5 crore, proposed by the Revenue Minister, Mr D’Souza, has been cleared by the Tourism Minister, Mr Nilkanth Halarnkar and also by the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat.
"Since, the Tourism Department was facing fund shortage, the beach development could not be taken up with the initial sanctioned amount of ` 50 lakh; however, then the Revenue Minister, Mr D’Souza sought for additional funds of ` 2.5 crore for the development and beautification works, including changing room facility, improvement work of paving, access road, road dividers, beach cleaning besides others, the work on which will be taken up in the next financial year,"
stated Mr Naik.
Meanwhile, the deputy chairperson of Mormugao Municipal Council, Mr Sharad Chopdekar, in a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, has stated that the sanctioned amount of ` 50 lakh, should not be utilized for the erection of high masts but, the funds should only serve the purpose of development and beautification of Baina beach.
