Goa is touted as a world famous tourism destination and Calangute beach is considered a jewel in Goa’s crown; yet. incomplete projects, traffic jams, dust pollution and recent squabbles among two politicians have left Calangute Beach woefully unprepared at the height of Goa’s tourism season.
Work on projects like the Calangute beach promenade, widening of roads, parking lots, toilets and changing facilities at the beach are still being carried out, even though these projects were planned well in advance and should have been completed ahead of the tourism season.
These ongoing works have caused great inconvenience to residents and tourists alike. Some roads have been closed due to repair work, while other potholed roads are yet to be repaired. In both cases, the road works have only added to the traffic congestion while the dust generated has affected pedestrians, motorists, homes and establishments in the area.
Moreover, reckless digging of roads by the workers damaged the main underground BSNL telephone cable, disrupting telecommunications in three wards of Calangute, which are not likely to be restored till Christmas.
Much of those works, which could have been completed ahead of December, were eventually held up mainly because of clashes between politicians ~ Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Calangute panch and de factor leader Joseph Sequeira. As a result, development works like the bus bay, parking facilities near the market, road widening and footpaths have also come to a grinding halt in Calangute.
“Development projects that have been initiated in Calangute have affected tourism during this peak season. International tourists are unwilling to come to Calangute due to dust pollution and ongoing works,” said a local businessman involved in the tourism business. Sequeira claims that the Calangute panchayat could not do anything to prevent ongoing work during Christmas and stated that the Calangute MLA had prevented them from getting involved in developmental activities at Calangute.
“We have a lot of developmental plans for Calangute, but Lobo feels that the Calangute Panchayat should not get involved in developmental activities/projects or undertake developmental works. Hence, we are helpless on that front.”
“If the Calangute MLA does not want our help in the development of Calangute and if he feels he can undertake development without the cooperation of the Calangute Panchayat, then we have no option but to keep a low profile,” said Sequeira.
Admitting that locals and tourists have been subjected to hardship due to road works in Calangute, Lobo was, however, undeterred by ongoing works in December and expressed confidence that these pending projects would be completed before Christmas.
“Roads leading to Calangute are being given a facelift and wherever necessary, they will be repaired. The Calangute-Baga road is nearing completion while work on other village roads is underway. The Baga-Arpora Bridge road from Hotel Calapyso junction will be ready within the next few days, while the road from St Anthony’s Chapel to St Joseph School will be ready before Christmas,” said Lobo.
“The Calangute beach promenade will be ready by the scheduled date of December 15, while roads leading to Arpora, etc, are also being widened to address the traffic woes during Christmas,” he added.
