Goemkarponn desk
MAPUSA: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that there the issue of touting and other illegal activities happening in Calangute beach should be stopped immediately and added that the issue of encroachments by shacks the, illegal touts, hawkers and other illegalities will be dealt with sternly
Khaunte was speaking to reporters after holding an inspection to check the illegalities on the beach. Besides, Khaunte also present were the sarpanch of Calangute Joseph Sequeira and others.
“We will try to act tough against the illegalities happening on the beach belt, and we have taken stock of the situation,” said Khaunte.
He said the tourists visiting the beach should not be harassed either by the illegal touts, hawkers and other illegal operators, and a stern message should be sent to them that the government will not tolerate such nuisance.
Speaking on the issue of encroachments, Khaunte said that the private shacks have violated the norms and have put up the deck beds right up to the shore.
He further said that the department will not compromise on the encroachments. The land survey is also being marked on a digital platform, and boundary stones are erected where the areas have been demarcated to identify beach areas.
“Private shacks are given relaxation of 10 meters, and government-allocated shacks should put tables or beach beds within the width of the shack. People have encroached beyond the area. These instances are putting away the good tourists,” he said.
Concerned establishments and other illegal structures that have encroached on beach areas are also being forewarned of imminent action in the days to come,” Khaunte further said.
He added that the local sarpanch has assured of putting their attention to all the illegalities and getting them cleaned up and the sarpanch and panch members have assured us of their support, and the panchayat has assured to co-operate with the department in streamlining the process.
Some tourists in Calangute complained to the tourism minister that the manager/in charge of a water sports facility quoted a figure of Rs 3000 for parasailing when the actual rate was found to be around Rs 1800.
Khaunte immediately directed the officials to immediately shut down the water sports activity counter on Calangute beach for charging exorbitant fees to tourists.
After visiting Calangute, the tourism minister also inspected Vagator beach later in the evening.
