Calangute promenade’s face-lift took a long time in the making. However ‘beautility’ (the concept of beauty with utility) is sadly lacking in the make-up of the promenade.
The promised benches are nowhere in sight. During the evenings thousands of tourists pass through the promenade leading to the beach, many of them being senior citizens. There’s no place for them to sit except on the parapet along the stairs leading to the beach. The authorities must ensure that the entire periphery of the promenade is lined with benches for tourists to relax.
Incidentally, scores of benches have been provided along the newly laid out Saligao road. They look very beautiful but have very little utility. The promenade leading to the beach is about 70 m long. As vehicles are not permitted inside the promenade a couple of wheel-chairs may be provided to transport the old and handicapped to the beach-head.
Drinking alcohol is prohibited on the beach. Police personnel station at the stairway leading to the beach stop beer guzzling youth from entering the beach. However they benevolently permit the youth to finish their drinks on promenade itself. If drinking on the beach is banned it must be banned on the promenade too.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
