Villagers from the Cansaulim- Arrosim area of South Goa have raised their protest decibel levels against what they claim in unberable noise of helicopters when they park their sorties with tourists, These helicopter joyrides were moved to this part of South Goa after massive oppisiton to the rides in the Aguada plateau.
The protests have emanated not just those that are located in Cortalim or the Cansaulim – Arrosim – Cuelim panchayat but the beaches in Salcete also. Activist Jose Rodrigues pointed out that the government should have first ensured that basic infrastructure is in place Shack owners and managements of hotels have spoken about how the noise reaches such unbearable levels that it affects senior citizens and children and pushes away the idea that the South can be a family destination too.
Meanwhile foreign tourists have also complained “The constant noise pollution from these flights is horrendous. They fly dangerously low, directly over shacks, sun loungers and tourists. Please inform the Tourism Minister that he will drive these tourists away should these flights continue,” said Peter, a tourist from UK.
“A new pest has turned up in the form of a helicopter taking a few tourists at great expense for a couple of cheap thrills along the Goan coastline. This low flying beast is a disturbance to the thousands of slumbering tourists whose peace is disturbed every time it passes by, which can happen every 10 minutes. It is proving a good reason to abandon Goa as a holiday destination and seek pastures new,” added Jeff Cox.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation however wants to know from where the noise is emnating and how it could be disturbing tourists across such a vast stretch. GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral told Herald “People should specify what they are objecting to. If they have a problem with noise, then let me clarify that take off and landing is from a five star resort’s premises. There is absolutely no noise outside the compound. While in the air, it does just like other helicopters and flights”
Meanwhile Jesuin George Fernandes from Cansaulim also spoke about an incident where middle aged British Tourists who have been regular visitors for the last ten years have even filed a complaint with the hotel management they were staying at for unbearable noise pollution due to the copter landing and taking off every 10 minutes and also the aviation fuel smell.
Nilesh Cabral counter questions, “Are people also opposing areas close to Dabolim airport and the railway station at Cansaulim? The trains make more noise. I am willing to listen to the people having specific issues to clarify,” he said.
(With inputs from Vibha Verma)
