15-day deadline given to rid beach of shacks, boats on Calangute beach belt

CALANGUTE: The Tourism department has given a 15-day deadline to shack and boat operators along the Baga-Calangute-Candolim belt to remove their sheds and boats, failing which boats will be confiscated and auctioned by the government. In a press statement, the department has also threatened to file an FIR against the defaulters, which could lead to imprisonment and/or a fine. “As per the shack policy, the shack allotees have to dismantle the shacks and store the materials away from beach area. However, the department officials observed that the dismantled material is being illegally stored in makeshift sheds, which are spread along the prominent tourist belt of Baga-Calangute-Candolim,” states the press note. “Similarly, some water sports operators have illegally parked their water sports boats on public beach area, thereby obstructing smooth movement of tourists and causing hindrance.” The operators have 15 days to remove the sheds and boats, failing which they will be confiscated and auctioned.