Panaji, May 2 (IANS) A local village body has formally resolved against the setting up of a Professional Golfers Association (PGA)-standard golf course jointly promoted by international hotels and resort Four Seasons group in its jurisdiction.
The picturesque beach village of Tiracol, located in the northern sub district of Pernem, 40 km from here in a village assembly, have resolved that the golf course being promoted by India-based Leading Hotels and the Four Seasons group should not be allowed to come up because ‘it was detrimental to the village’.
Diogo Rodrigues, who supported the resolution, said: ‘We are already facing water and power shortage. Instead of addressing these problems, a golf course is being dumped on us. We don’t want the project.’
The tourism department had floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting reputed developers and has shortlisted a proposal submitted by Leading Hotels Pvt Ltd and the renowned Four Seasons hospitality group.
‘We have issued a letter of intent to the Leading Hotels and have requested them to submit a detailed project report on the proposed golf course project,’ Tourism Director Swapnil Naik said.
According to tourism department records, the Leading Hotels and Four Seasons joint proposals had edged out other bids by DLF and Oxford Properties.
The proposed golf course will be undertaken on a public private partnership (PPP) basis and will be set up in the coastal sub district of Pernem in north Goa, near the Maharashtra border.
‘We will be partnering with the selected company to develop this PGA-standard golf course. The state will not be involved in procuring land or raising revenue for the construction of the project and allied facilities,’ Naik said, adding that the proposed project, spread over 200 acres, will include a 150-acre international standard golf course and the other 50 acres will be utilized for allied hospitality and tourist facilities.
Meanwhile, the tourism industry has supported the golf course project, claiming it would help attract high spending tourists to the state.
