MARGAO: The Benaulim car park that was constructed by the Tourism Department has upset local residents who believe that the park is being used by anti-social elements who leave behind their trash, consisting of disposed plastic cups, bags and even liquor bottles.
On one hand, this parking area constructed by the Tourism Department has resolved issues related to parking for beach visitors. The facility, which has multiple lanes for vehicles to park and other facilities like a public utilities and changing room and a tourist facility centre, is also unfortunately being misused by some anti-social elements.
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“The new car park at Benaulim Beach is a place for hooligans at night. They drink and litter the place,” said a local resident.
The biggest complaint the locals have is that groups wait at this car park at night and create a public nuisance by consuming alcohol and blasting music late at night.
Locals have also demanded that CCTV surveillance be set up at the car park and police patrolling be intensified to keep a watch on antisocial elements.
The plastic waste left behind according to the locals is an eyesore not just to them but also to the tourists who visit the beach. Benaulim resident and social activist Rudolf Barretto flayed the tourism department given that the under-staffed tourist facilitation centre located right there could not address this issue.
“Welcome to Benaulim’s new car park. The Goa Tourism Department has spent a lot of money to put in unique Christmas decorations in place. This is what they have learnt in their jaunts abroad,” Rudolf added.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety of women, especially young female tourists who have to walk past this car park to get to the beach. The locals felt that tourists may leave Goa with a bad image if strict action is not taken to ensure that the car park is a safe and friendly environment for all including young children who visit the beach.
