PANJIM: In Panjim, both public and private spaces have become home to beggars, raising concerns among residents about safety and nuisance. The stretch from the Old Patto Bridge to the old Hotel Avanti on Corte de Oiteiro road, designated as a Smart Road, has seen beggars occupying pavements under unoccupied ground plus one houses. Their presence often includes alcohol consumption and fights, causing inconvenience to residents of Sao Tome and passersby.
Another problematic area is near the Ourem Creek, where the PWD pumping station is located. Beggars and vagabonds gather to drink and sleep, posing a safety risk to nighttime pedestrians.
On Tuesday, Sao Tome locals recounted instances of verbal and physical altercations among beggars, which prompted them to demand action against this issue in Panjim, a designated Smart City. Resident Armando Gonsalves stressed the need for authorities to address the problem promptly and relocating beggars to suitable facilities. “As it is, Panjim is in a mess, the beggars are an added problem to the residents of Panjim. They cannot sleep either in public or private property,” he said.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said “There is an anti-begging act in place, but the main problem is there is no transit place or beggars’ home to house them. We had meetings with the deputy collectors and additional collectors in Mapusa and Margao, but nothing came of it.”
Acknowledging the anti-begging act in place, Panjim PI Vijaykumar Chodankar explained the limitations faced by law enforcement. “We do round them up, but then we have to let them go. There is no beggars’ home in Goa. We cannot keep them permanently. Just 15 days ago we had conducted a drive along with the Corporation of the City of Panjim, wherein 50 beggars were round up. If they are drinking and creating fights at Corte de Oiteiro I will send my men.”
