BELGAUM: Anger prevailed among the people from Belgaum and North Karnataka region, as Goa government is imposing entry fees on tourists visiting Surla, an ideal tourist location frequented by tourists from north Karnataka and south Maharashtra.
According to sources, the Forest department of Goa is reportedly collecting entry fees from tourists outside Goa who are entering Surla village, which lies on the Belgaum-Goa border near Chorla, about 50 kms from Belgaum.
Sources informed that Rs 75 per vehicle and Rs 20 per head is being collected from the tourists, for which an official receipt is also being issued by the forest authorities. A forest department collection point has been raised at the entry point to Surla.
“We are shocked with this attitude of the Goan authorities. When they are using the Karnataka infrastructure to enter Surla, then it is high time Karnataka government too thinks of imposing entry fees on all Goans who are entering Surla via Karnataka,” K Uday, a resident of Belgaum who frequents Surla, said demanding an immediate withdrawal of this entry tax which he feels is totally illegal.
There is a rising demand to stop the entry fees which according to tourists frequenting Surla is illegal.
