New proposal: Pay Rs 7L, have 40 beach weddings in 3 years

PANAJI: Last year, the fee charged by the Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) to process beach wedding applications was hiked to Rs 1 lakh for five days. Now, for the first time, the GCZMA has proposed that applicants be able to seek a one-time permission for three years for a particular beach stretch by paying Rs 7 lakh to host weddings and other beach events. The holder of such a permission will be able to host up to 40 weddings on the stretch, as per the proposal under active consideration of the authority.Some years ago, event management organisations in Goa had demanded that such a one-time permission be introduced, so they do not have to seek nods each time an event is to be organised on the same beach stretch. Certain beach stretches are more popular than others as destinations for beach weddings and events, and therefore, the request was made.Earlier, the permission was based on a per-event basis with no provision to book a beach stretch for an extended period of three years at a time. It is, however, not known whether such a blanket permission for an extended period can have any impact on public access to the beach concerned.The GCZMA has also proposed to introduce other categories of permissions. An applicant will be able to seek permission just three days prior to hosting an event or wedding on a beach by paying Rs 75,000 for the application. This amount has been proposed to be reduced from the earlier Rs 1 lakh.One will also be able to seek permission to hold a beach wedding or event over a period of maximum five days by paying Rs 50,000, if the application is submitted at least seven days before the event.If the application is made three to seven days before the event, then the applicant will be charged Rs 60,000.Interestingly, the GCZMA has proposed to reduce the fees for applications seeking permission for construction of a new hotel to Rs 500 per sqm of built-up area, down from Rs 1,250 per sqm.The authority also proposed to reduce fees from Rs 700 per sqm to Rs 100 per sqm for construction of new swimming pool, and from Rs 400 per sqm to Rs 200 per sqm for construction of new casino vessels.The GCZMA has for the first time proposed to introduce a fee for applications to construct infrastructure for storage and sale of petroleum products along the cost. Applicants will be charged Rs 500 per sqm of built-up land for such projects, it has been decided.Earlier, there was no fee decided for applications seeking a nod to construct a flood protection wall or culvert in coastal areas. A fee of Rs 50,000 for such govt projects and Rs 1 lakh for projects by hotels, resorts, and villas will be charged.A fee has also been introduced now if permissions are sought for construction of security cabins, gazebos, watchtowers, or decks. on the cost. Rs 350 per sqm will be charged, according to the GCZMA proposal.The GCZMA meeting decided that no fees will be levied for nods sought for access roads, pavements, and internal roads in coastal areas.