PANJIM: The Tourism Department has constituted a flying squad to carry out surprise drives along the Calangute beach stretch to check for violations by the shack operators.
In its submission before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the department has also informed that the local panchayat is directed to maintain a strict vigil to ensure that movement of the visitors on the beach are not hindered.
“The Respondent (Tourism Department) has constituted a flying squad headed by the Asst Director (Revenue) which has been carrying out surprise inspection/confiscation drives and the same will be undertaken in future as well at least once a week at the Calangute beach stretches. The same exercise will be undertaken by this Respondent at the entry points of the Calangute beach stretch as well,” reads the affidavit submitted by the State government, which comes in reply to a petition urging the government to take immediate steps to decongest certain popular and crowded beaches in the State.
The petitioner Ruben Franco also pointed out that considerable portion of these beaches is used for setting up shacks and deck beds that has shrunk the space for both tourists and locals on the beaches.
The department, through its Director Sanjiv Gadkar further informed the court that the sarpanch as well as the secretary of Calangute Panchayat are directed to maintain a strict vigil. They are also directed to ensure stringent action is taken against private restaurants/shack owners who are found to have been placing deck beds, tables, chairs, etc, which block the free movement of tourist/individuals.
In addition to these measures, the department has appointed Tourist Wardens/Supervisors on the Calangute beach stretch to maintain a strict vigil on the beach stretch besides the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) patrolling the area. The court disposed of the petition on accepting the steps adopted by the department.
