CALANGUTE: The shack business has recently started after a long delay, but there are many problems for the shack owners, from garbage to toilets to hawkers. Though the government has its own garbage contractor, the collection of garbage from the coastal belt is far from satisfactory. Garbage is sometimes collected after three or four days.
“Garbage collection along the beach belt is not done daily, causing us much inconvenience. We just cannot keep wet garbage in our bins for two to three days as it generates a stink. At times, we have to run after the jeep that comes for collection,” said a shack owner.
Another issue that haunts the shack owners is of toilets, which have been placed at a height in line with the directives of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for collection of discharge in storage tanks that are to be emptied at regular intervals. In the absence of a sewerage network, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is a daunting task for the shack owners. Additionally, foreigners, especially the women and elderly, are reluctant to use the toilets.
Calangute shack owners have tried to seek help from local leader Joseph Sequeira to dispose the stored waste. Sequeira has reportedly assured to help them by disposing the stored waste in sewage tankers as temporary relief.
“We were surprised with the toilets, which have been placed at a certain height for no valid reason. The toilets serve no purpose as I for one will never use them even during an emergency, as it is risky. The authorities need to be practical on the issue of toilets, which may prove to be disastrous or unhygienic in the days to come,” said Merilien, a tourist.
Hawkers on the beach also add to the woes of the shack owners. Police have been deployed to the beaches, but their presence does not matter to the hawkers, who roam freely and continue to harass foreign tourists.
“Hawkers are seen everywhere on the beach. The police keep a watch, but it does not matter to them. The police should keep a strict check on hawkers, who are causing inconvenience to tourists. It may also give rise to illegal activities like prostitution. Also, tourists and others have been roaming freely on the beaches with liquor bottles in hand despite the ban,” said Rocky, a local.
When contacted, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “The government has appointed a contractor for garbage collection, but I am told it is not being done in a planned manner. The garbage collection needs daily monitoring so that the garbage is collected regularly from place to place. Only then the collection garbage from the coastline will be a success.”
Tourism Department officials were not available for their comments due to their preoccupation with IFFI-related matters.
