Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Ahead of New Year celebrations 2026, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Canacona convened a high-level preparatory meeting to finalise safety, security and civic arrangements across major beach destinations. The meeting focused on crowd control, traffic and parking management, fire safety, power supply, medical preparedness and coastal security.
Chairing the meeting, SDM and Deputy Collector Prataprao Gaonkar, along with SDPO and Deputy SP Nilesh Rane, directed police authorities to deploy adequate bandobast at key locations including Palolem junction, Patnem and Agonda beaches. Police officials informed that a comprehensive security plan has already been drawn up and will be implemented in a timely manner.
Traffic officials outlined arrangements for smooth vehicular movement, with designated parking facilities planned at Sai Darbar, Devabag and Agonda junction. The SDM further instructed officials to identify additional parking spaces in coordination with the Taluka Sports Officer to ease congestion during peak celebrations.
To address fire safety concerns, directions were issued to position at least two fire tenders—one each at Palolem and near the Agonda Police Outpost. Authorities were also instructed to ensure quick response mechanisms to handle any emergency situations.
Officials from the electricity department were asked to coordinate with police to ensure proper illumination and uninterrupted power supply at entry points, parking areas, beach stretches and prominent locations. Safety inspections of electrical installations at beach sites were also ordered.
The health department was instructed to keep the Community Health Centre, Canacona fully operational to handle any medical emergencies during the festivities.
Police were categorically directed to prevent the sale of firecrackers at beach areas and to warn shopkeepers against selling fireworks without mandatory permissions from statutory authorities. Coastal police were tasked with intensified patrolling to monitor any unidentified boats or vessels near the shoreline.
The Shack Owners’ Association was assigned responsibility to conduct awareness drives across Palolem, Patnem and Agonda beaches. They were specifically instructed to ensure that Chinese sky flying lanterns are not used during celebrations, citing safety and environmental concerns.
Excise officials were asked to closely monitor large-scale liquor supply and sales, while lifesaving agencies were directed to prevent swimming, water sports or cruising beyond permitted hours. Additional personnel will be deployed at drowning-prone zones as a precautionary measure.
The Canacona Municipal Council was asked to carry out awareness campaigns on cleanliness to maintain hygiene along the beach stretches during and after celebrations.
Additionally, the Mamlatdar of Canacona was instructed to form two joint inspection teams comprising officials from the electricity department, fire services, excise department and police to monitor firecracker sales, electrical safety and overall compliance on the ground.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from various departments, including revenue, health, electricity, excise, police, tourism-related bodies and representatives of shack owners’ associations, underscoring a coordinated approach to ensure safe and orderly New Year celebrations in Canacona.
