CONSERVING A BEACH
>> IPSCDL has tied up with the environment department. Jointly, they will decide what kind of plantation will be suitable for the beach
>> With the plantation, the team is trying to ensure the beach has just one entrance, as opposed to multiple access points it has now
>> The project would help in arresting sand erosion. Currently, a lot of sand from the beach gets blown onto the street
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SHIFTING STALLS
>> To the other side of the beach, and make open kiosks for them, which will help decongest traffic.
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PANAJI: The wait for residents and tourists alike to see Miramar Beach turned into a blue-flag certified beach may soon be over. For, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has got an in-principle nod for its plans to develop the beach from from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
IPSCDL CEO and MD Swayandipta Pal Chaudhuri told 'The Goan' that a team from the GCZMA had inspected the beach on December 20.
Chaudhuri said, they are now waiting for the written clearance to approve the work order.
"We have been following up regularly with GCZMA and are expecting the written approval from them any time now," said Chaudhuri.
"Miramar Beach is one of the very few urban beaches on India's coast, and the development work we will be undertaking will help in conservation of the beach," he said.
To carry out its plans, IPSCDL has tied up with the environment department. Jointly, they will decide what kind of plantation will be suitable for the beach. Chaudhuri also said that with plantation, the team is trying to ensure the beach has just one entrance, as opposed to the multiple access points it has now.
Further, he said that the project would help in arresting the sand erosion that was taking place right now. Currently, a lot of sand from the beach gets blown onto the street.
There's also good news for senior citizens and tourists who used to use the benches on the beach to relax, before the benches were vandalised. In the past the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) used to look after the maintenance of these benches. But this year, due to IPSCDL's bigger project to beautify the beach, the benches will also be taken care of.
Besides this, the Smart City team intends to shift the temporary street-food stalls at the beach to the other side, and make open kiosks for them, which will help decongest traffic.
Chaudhuri also assured us that the project would be 'Accessible India' compliant, with ramps. Signages for the beach will also be done.
