CANACONA: Tourism has indeed phenomenally improved the standard of living of coastal villagers in Canacona taluka, especially Palolem, Patnem, Galgibhaga and Agonda, but at the cost of wide roads and smooth traffic.
Dayanand Pagui, councillor from Palolem ward, said the government was not doing enough to minimise the hardship of common man, as the internal roads leading to Palolem, Patnem-Columb and Agonda have become very narrow.
It’s very difficult for two vehicles to pass at a time due to encroachment of kiosks, residential houses and shops, he said.
Shops and kiosks on the either side of the road leading to Palolem cause frequent traffic jams and the authorities concerned have no control over it, Pagui complained.
Encroachments have narrowed down the road leading to Agonda seashore, making it difficult to commute through it, Agonda Panch Pramod Faldesai said, adding, the numerous potholes have made commuting even harder.
He said many foreign and domestic tourists have lost their lives on a narrow bridge at Dumanem on the Char Rasta-Agonda road, as it is on a sharp curve of a deep valley and is without railing.
Faldesai said that the number of foreign tourists visiting Canacona taluka has increased manifold, but the government has failed to provide them basic facilities like roads, water and electricity.
He has asked the authorities concerned to build temporary fencing on either side of the bridge to prevent accidents during New Year celebrations.
Simon Rebello, a former CMC chairperson and a resident of Palolem beach area, said that his locality is witnessing a real-estate boom, therefore, he said, and it is very difficult to widen the roads leading to the beaches in Canacona. However, the municipality is negotiating with the owners to widen the roads, he added.
