The 2014-15 tourism season is drawing to an early and abrupt end, but there’s no end to the residents’ anger with some elements carrying their tourism trade, at the cost of the locals’ safety as the authorities concerned, turn a blind eye.
Palolem village, which hosts the mesmerizing half moon beach in the taluka, has over the years witnessed manifold increase in unauthorized traders, especially Kashmiris descending on the densely populated coast.
This ensuing season, has specifically witnessed, an additional number of people from the north and north-east making a beeline to Palolem, virtually clogging the narrow street on both sides, evoking complaints from residents which have fallen on deaf ears of the authorities.
However, so far the arrival of foreign tourists is mostly below expectations of stakeholders. Many claim that over-all, this year the tourism season is well below par, although there is a sharp increase of traders and stakeholders.
The age-old Palolem’s narrow road, which has hardly witnessed any widening, since this hamlet gained a foothold on the tourism map in mid-nineties is now choked on both sides with temporary as well as permanent kiosks. Residents claim, there is no enforcement of rules and regulations with those in the tourism trade having a field day, indulging in all kinds of illegalities.
The entire road stretch from Palolem Youth Club House to main-beach lane is a nightmare for traffic and pedestrians. Even the makeshift footpath (essentially cement slabs which cover the gutter) is occupied by kiosks, forcing pedestrians and cyclists to walk and ride right on the road, with the danger of getting hit by vehicles.
A resident, visibly upset at the development, since the beginning of this tourism season told Herald, “Where are we supposed to walk, when both sides of the road are occupied by kiosks? There is not even place to walk. People fear of being run over by a vehicle, some day.”
A toddy-tapper, who is amongst the countable few left in the profession, and uses his cycle, also complains bitterly, “On reaching this road stretch, I am forced to get down from my cycle and walk with it as I fear of getting hit by zooming vehicles. Even the footpath is occupied by Kashmiris, giving us no chance to walk on it, in the event of road occupied by vehicular traffic.”
The toddy-tapper, who identified himself just as Fernandes, further said, “On different occasions I had approached municipal and taluka authorities, against the grant of tourism licenses to set up shops on roads, which hinders smooth flow of traffic and also pedestrians’ movement. Even, the elected representatives, although kind enough to promise action, were not useful so far in stopping this menace.”
“If not municipal authorities, then taluka authorities should act, as the blatant violation of grant of seasonal permits is clearly visible. The inconvenience caused to the public due to this illegal trade, is not a secret,” charged another resident.
Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson Simon Rebello, agreed that some people in the past had approached him with the grievances relating to parking and illegal stalls.
