Team Herald
MARGAO: Taking serious note of the death of a tourist due to electrocution at Colva beach, citizens of Colva on Friday expressed anger and demanded strict action against the concerned contractor for failing to put in place the safety measures.
It is pertinent to note that a few weeks ago, some domestic tourists had a narrow escape from lamps falling down from poles, and on Thursday night the death of one tourist was reported at the same beach due to electrocution, raising serious questions about the safety measures.
The electrocution of the tourist last week occurred just behind the Colva Beach beautification project near the children’s park. According to witnesses, 40-year-old Uma Shankar Sharma had just returned from a swim in the sea and was sitting near the children’s park when his leg accidentally touched a live wire. He died on the spot.
Speaking to media persons, Alex D’Souza, a local, expressed anger over the issue and said that they had alerted the concerned authorities pertaining to the safety measures.
“The incident reported on Thursday night is serious in nature. It is negligence from the part of the concerned authorities. A person has lost his life”, he said.
He further informed the media that live wires are seen open at many places in the newly renovated garden at the Colva Beach, creating danger to the people and children.
D’Souza further charged the Tourism Department and the concerned contractor for failing to carry out the maintenance work.
The government has spent crores of rupees giving Colva Beach a tourist-friendly facelift that was inaugurated with pomp in December 2021–but a visit to the beach exposed the poorly-planned and executed project, which strangely, was built on a no-development zone prone to sea erosion.
Salvador Vas, another local, said that Colva being one of the favourite tourist spots, large numbers of domestic tourists, besides international tourists are seen over here and hence it is the responsibility of the Tourism Department to put in place the safety measures.
“Recently, at the time of visit, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had assured that everything will be put in place at Colva Beach, but failure in fulfilling the promises resulted in loss of life”, he charged.
