“This is not the first time Calangute has struggled with the balance between tourism and public order. The town thrives on its visitors, but that same inflow brings pressure on local infrastructure and social order. Residents complain of noise, litter, and harassment, while tourists argue they come to Goa precisely because of its relaxed atmosphere. The new restriction tries to solve one side of the problem, the nuisance, but risks harming the other – the local economy that depends on tourism spending.
Small liquor shop owners are likely to feel the most immediate impact. Many rely on night-time sales for a large share of their earnings. When shops close early, that income disappears, and there is no sign that the government will provide compensation or alternate business support.”
The order to shut liquor shops in Calangute after 10 pm has been hailed as a much-needed step to restore order in one of Goa’s busiest tourist belts. For months, residents and local officials have raised concerns about growing public nuisance at night – from loud, drunken groups on the beach to fights and reckless driving on village roads. Tourists, drawn by the easy availability of cheap alcohol from retail shops, often turned quiet stretches into party zones that lasted well past midnight. The decision to stop sales after 10 pm has therefore struck a chord with many locals who have long complained that their town was losing its peace to unregulated late-night drinking.
Yet, while the move may be necessary, it also reveals how reactive and short-sighted policy enforcement in Goa has become. The law already prohibits the sale of alcohol beyond certain hours, but it has rarely been implemented with seriousness. Liquor shops have been operating late into the night for years with little fear of consequence. The authorities have often turned a blind eye, allowing violations to pile up until the situation got out of hand. Instead of enforcing existing rules consistently, officials have now imposed a blanket restriction, punishing everyone — even those who followed the law.
This is not the first time Calangute has struggled with the balance between tourism and public order. The town thrives on its visitors, but that same inflow brings pressure on local infrastructure and social order. Residents complain of noise, litter, and harassment, while tourists argue they come to Goa precisely because of its relaxed atmosphere. The new restriction tries to solve one side of the problem, the nuisance, but risks harming the other – the local economy that depends on tourism spending.
Small liquor shop owners are likely to feel the most immediate impact. Many rely on night-time sales for a large share of their earnings. When shops close early, that income disappears, and there is no sign that the government will provide compensation or alternate business support. Restaurants and bars, which operate under different licences, might benefit as drinkers turn to them after 10 pm, but smaller retailers will be left struggling.
The wider concern is whether this ban will actually reduce disorder. If people are determined to drink late, they will find ways to do so. Unregulated or illegal sales could rise, creating exactly the kind of lawlessness the ban was meant to curb. In other parts of India, such restrictions have often led to the growth of black markets and bootlegging, with little improvement in public behaviour.
A more effective approach would combine strict enforcement with smart regulation. Authorities should identify areas with repeated complaints and apply targeted restrictions there, while rewarding shop owners who follow the law with licence stability. Police presence in late-night trouble spots must increase, and penalties for public drinking, nuisance, and harassment should be enforced rigorously.
Tourists also need clearer communication. Many visitors simply do not know the rules. Hotels, taxi drivers, and tourist information centres should make it clear that alcohol sales stop at 10 pm and that public drinking is punishable. This is not about restricting enjoyment but about setting boundaries that protect both locals and visitors. Goa’s appeal lies in its hospitality, not in chaos or danger.
The larger issue here is governance. Calangute’s problems have been visible for years, from overcrowding and noise to poor waste management, but action has been slow and piecemeal. The liquor shop ban, though justified by the immediate situation, is another example of the administration acting only when pressure mounts. Real change will come only when rules are applied evenly and consistently throughout the year, not just during crises.
Calangute’s residents deserve peace, and tourists deserve safety. Both can coexist if the government treats regulation as a continuous responsibility rather than an emergency measure. The 10 pm liquor shutdown may bring short-term relief, but it cannot be the final answer. Goa needs smarter governance, stronger enforcement, and a tourism culture that values respect over recklessness. Only then will Calangute reclaim its charm without losing its calm.
