MARGAO: The pristine and now unspoilt beaches of Salcete are facing new invaders, vehicles of tourists and even those staying here, who seem to think that the sandy shores of Benaulim or Betalbatim are the roads of Lutyens’ Delhi or Mumbai’s Marine Drive. Or for that matter the Bambolim to the Dona Paula Road.
In the process, the order of the District Collector prohibiting vehicles on the beach is being thrown to the winds at the beaches of Salcete.
The people from all walks of life who go for an evening stroll are facing the nuisance of groups of persons who are today seen driving vehicles and riding two-wheelers on the beach endangering human lives and creating a nuisance. Surprisingly, there is no one to stop these vehicles from either entering the beach or stopping them from driving/riding in the public place.
People from Margao on Tuesday who went for a stroll at the Benaulim beach witnessed too many bikes on the beaches. Benaulim, Betalbatim and Varca beaches were full of these scooters. Dr Sparsh Kudchadkar, who had gone for a stroll, intercepted some of them and questioned them as to why have they entered the beach and riding their bikes here. “There were at least 5 two-wheelers, who were merrily riding on the beach. I stopped them and questioned them. They said they don’t know that they can’t use vehicles on the beach,” he said.
He also said these beach bikers work on boats and use their private vehicles. He said that the absence of police at the major entries of the beach has resulted in the rampant use of vehicles on the beach.
“Every tourist will take his vehicle on the beach if this is not stopped,” said Dr. Kudchadkar.
In August 2018, the South Goa District Collector had drawn an order prohibiting the movement of vehicles on the beach, with exceptions of vehicles for beach cleaning and life-saving, police and tourist security forces.
The Deputy Superintendent of Traffic Police Prabodh Shirvoikar said, “If the violations of this nature are brought to our notice through photos we can take action against the persons under Indian Police (IP) Act or for causing a nuisance to the public,” he said.
The Traffic Police Inspector of Colva Hiroo Kavlekar said he hasn’t booked any such cases for now. He said he will put his men on the beach and stop these acts on the beach.
The Colva Police Inspector Melson Colaco said, “There is an order of the District Collector to stop vehicles on the beach. We will deal with these acts strictly. I urge all the public not to indulge in the acts of taking vehicles on the beach.”
