MARGAO: The State Tourism Department has again increased the total number of shacks permitted in North Goa by five, from 254 to 259. A public notice to this effect was issued by the department on Friday.
This takes the total number of shacks to be allotted for the tourist season 2023- 26 to 364 – 259 in North Goa and 105 in South Goa.
In the earlier tourist season also the total number of shacks allotted were 364. However as per the notice issued by the dept on Oct 20, the number of shacks in North Goa were reduced by five i.e. 254.
However, concerns have been raised by shack owners over the impact the long delay in the allotment process will have on their business given that the month of October is over.
Cruz Cardozo, the President of the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), expressed deep concern over the delayed commencement of beach shack operations, marking a departure from the traditional earlier opening in recent years.
He added that this is the first time that the beach shacks will commence business around mid or end of November. Cardozo revealed that numerous loyal patrons, accustomed to celebrating Dussehra at the beach shacks with their families, reached out seeking information.
Regrettably, he said they had no choice but to communicate the delay in the start of the season to these concerned customers.
