MARGAO: Benaulim residents have urged the Tourism Department to address concerns over inadequate lighting at the beach car park, claiming a surge in unsafe antisocial activities affecting both locals and tourists.
It may be recalled that this is not the first time they have raised the issue about what transpires at the car park at night when there is no sunlight, and the car park’s illumination also fails.
“Benaulim Beach has got a new car park with some fancy light fittings. Sadly, the lamps died out within four months. Last entire monsoon, the car park was in darkness. The high mast lamp post nearby was luckily repaired during the start of the tourist season. Yet the lamps of the car park were not replaced. The lone lamp (that was working) has also died down,” said Rudolf Barretto, Benaulim resident and social activist.
“The car park is now a haven for drunkards. Two days back, a lady tourist was groped and touched inappropriately at the car park. Earlier during the last week, an attempt was reportedly made to snatch a bag, again from a lady tourist. The car park itself is having a shabby look with broken bottles, plastic bags, shrubs, and other garbage. I request the authorities to pull up their socks because your inefficiency gives Benaulim a bad name,” Rudolf added.
It is to be noted that the car park, which was inaugurated a few years ago, also serves as the main entrance used by commuters as well as pedestrians to access this section of Benaulim beach.
