Team Herald
PANJIM: Distressed over unregulated tourism activities in their area, residents from Sao Tome and Fontainhas on Wednesday met Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Rohit Monserrate and demanded that tourism-related activities be streamlined in the heritage precincts.
The residents also demanded that the CCP impose visiting hours for the tourists and direct the visitors, many of whom were unruly, to respect the sentiments of the locals. They also called for the cancellation of Festa do Povo.
The issue of parking for tourists and non residents was also discussed at length.
After meeting the Mayor, Antonio Gomes Pereira said, "Parking is a major issue inside residential areas. We have asked for a solution so that vehicles belonging to tourists and non residents should be parked at some satellite areas, which the Mayor agreed to. The other issue was of misleading signages and other boards."
"We also discussed the issue of roving carts and fruit vendors in certain areas. There are some touts and anti-social elements, compromising the peace and tranquility. The Mayor has promised to take action and if the law permits, then they may appoint wardens to take care of all these issues," he said.
Another resident, Vasco Dias, said, "The Mayor has agreed to cancel Festa do Povo festival."
"There has to be a regulated system so that the infrastructure of the area is not overburdened. There should also be timings for tourists, as the area has senior citizens and tourists should respect the sentiments of the people, knowing very well that it is a heritage area," Dias said.
Mayor assures to take all
onboard to find solution
PANJIM: Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Rohit Monserrate assured Sao Tome and Fontainhas residents that he would call a meeting with the departments concerned and said residents can interact with them and arrive at a solution.
“I have asked them to decide what they want and propose some solutions. Most of the things are related to traffic and based on their requirement, we will hold a meeting of the departments concerned and will check what can be done. The area is very popular due to social media but tourists must behave with dignity and with a basic decency. Promoting tourism is good but it has consequences also,” the Mayor said.
“Patrolling will have to be intensified. As far as the festival is concerned, it was based on the wishes of the people. If they do not want, we will not have it,” he added.