Cong presses for scrapping Reis Magos hotel projects

Panaji:Congress demanded govt to scrap the proposed starred hotel project at Reis Magos in the Saligao constituency on Sunday. The party has raised objections to govt’s decision to grant permission for the construction of a 5-star and a 4-star hotel, as well as a multilevel car parking facility in proximity to the Reis Magos fort.
According to Congress functionary Tulio D’Souza, if the project materialises, it will destroy the hills and greenery and displace the local fishermen.He also claimed that some of these areas are situated within ‘no-development zones’.
“This project is being pushed through the investment promotion board. DLF’s luxury villa project has already destroyed half the hill, and the destruction of the remaining areas is about to take place. If this project is not scrapped by govt, then villagers will hit the streets,” D’Souza said.
He objected to govt’s move to permit another project to establish a private university in Thivim village. Congress vice president Sunil Kawthankar stated that govt’s alleged “involvement” in the Bhutani project at Sancoale and the DLF project at Reis Magos has been exposed. He accused govt of recklessly converting eco-sensitive zones, hills, and forests and claimed that they are determined to destroy Goa’s green zone.