
Team Herald
CALANGUTE: Despite signboards warning against public drinking, and steep fines to be levied on violators, tourists seem to have a scant respect for law and continue to drink and create a nuisance on the beaches in Goa.
Tourism stakeholders in Calangute have now called on the tourist police to enforce regulations prohibiting drinking on the beach, alleging that hordes of domestic tourists are engaging in open drinking.
“The government introduces various tourism policies, but they are only stringent when it comes to shack regulations. Nothing is done about tourists drinking on the beach. The police are present, but you never see anyone being apprehended,” said Manuel Cardozo, president of the Goan Traditional Shacks Owners Association (GTSO).
“Even if they are caught, the matter is often compromised between them and the authorities, allowing them to go free. If you walk from Baga to Calangute, you will find at least 50 groups of tourists drinking on the beach, but have you ever heard of anyone being penalised?” he asked.
Cardozo lamented the impact on local residents, saying, “If you come to the beach for a sunset or to relax, you find tourists sitting on the beach with bottles. Earlier, many locals used to visit Calangute, but now nobody comes.”
He also criticised the state government for neglecting infrastructure improvements on the beach. “They’ve built the promenade, but it’s a mess. The government focuses only on collecting revenue, but no proper infrastructure has been provided. If someone needs a toilet, there is just one in Calangute, another in Baga, and one in Candolim, with nothing in between for those who don’t visit shacks,” he said.