Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Recently, we have seen the tourists misusing the rent-a-cab or the rent-a-bike services which are offered to them at an economical price, (Mind you, Goa has cheapest rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab rates in India). There have been videos circulating of tourists dancing on the top of cars, doing various stunts or driving with all doors open.
The Goa Police have taken action after the videos have gone viral but many a times it is too late, the tourists have already left Goa by that time and then it is a tedious job to bring the culprits back.
Meanwhile, the owner the rent-a-cab or rent-a-bike has to face the music in Goa. The police continue to harass them as their bike or car is captured in the video.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
In last few days there have been some disturbing viral videos wherein the tourists are seen misusing their liberty or the privileges they get in Goa as tourists.
In Goa, we believe “Atithi Dev Bhava” but the way some tourists are behaving, it seems they own Goa.
Definitely, Goa is known for its hospitality and hence every tourists is being given the respect they deserve, but it does not mean the tourists can take undue advantage of this.
Recently, we have seen the tourists misusing the rent-a-cab or the rent-a-bike services which are offered to them at an economical price, (Mind you, Goa has cheapest rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab rates in India). There have been videos circulating of tourists dancing on the top of cars, doing various stunts or driving with all doors open and worse still taking the vehicles right onto the beach which is against teh law.
The Goa Police have taken action after the videos have gone viral but many a times it is too late, the tourists have already left Goa by that time and then it is a tedious job to bring the culprits back.
Meanwhile, the owner the rent-a-cab or rent-a-bike has to face the music in Goa. The police continue to harass them as their bike or car is captured in the video.
Not just this, many of the times, these unruly tourists break the traffic rules like breaking signals, entering no entry zones, triple seat riding, overspeeding etc, etc which are often caught on cameras, but sadly the challans are delivered only after the tourists have gone back home and the owner has to pay the hefty fines.
The third issue what owners face is the damage to the vehicles caused by these tourists due to overspeeding or drunk-driving. Many a tiems they just flee from the spot of accident and the owner has to bare the brunt.
So how do the owner or the Goa Police tackle the issue.
The vehicle owners are carrying out the business for their livelihood but the “unruly” tourists seem to be taking undue advantage of the facilities provided by Goa Tourism.
Looking at the things unfolding in last few days it now seems like the Goa Police are right when they stop every
tourists with rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab in Goa. Atleast this move keeps some check and police understand whether they are drunk etc.
The police have been heavily criticised on social media for harassing tourists but if this check isn’t done wonder what the tourists would do? They would literally dance on our heads.
Agreed, not all tourists are same but many of them have been getting involved in violation of traffic laws, which needs to be dealt with seriously.
However, the recent statement by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has come as a big shock to one and all. He said the owners will be equally responsible in case of any accidents by rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab.
Mr Sawant instead of booking the owners has to direct the Goa Police and the administration to find a way how to tackle the issue.
He has to be sympathetic to the cause of local owners, who do not run after him or MLAs for government jobs and instead carry out their own business with huge investments.
All stakeholders like rent-a-bike or rent-a-cab, Goa traffic police, Tourism department, RTOs have to sit and apply their minds on how to tackle the issue.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had recently made a statement that a new law is in the process to get introduced to dampen and take actions against disorderly tourists.
He said in a meeting that to the tourism department, this newly proposed law will give extra hands to handle such tourists rightly.
Such case in point includes tourists exploiting hired vehicles, parking in a dangerous manner, while riding or even driving they indulge in stunts, or any other activity that breaks the law. Also, there are cases in terms of disorderly behavior with the lifeguards.
Khaunte said that as this new law will be introduced, tourists have accountability in terms of action as well.
He said that it is like ingraining civic sense into the commoners. They will see what they can do best in terms.
