Daijiworld Media Network - Calangute

Calangute, Sep 30: Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira has urged the Tourism Department to avoid allotting beach shacks near entrances, saying they obstruct the movement of visitors, particularly locals who come to the beach to relax in the evenings.

Sequeira said shacks were being set up directly in front of beach entrances, leaving little space for people to sit and access the beach.

“The shacks are being set right in front of the entrance, blocking it. Where will the people sit? There should be no shacks on either side for 100 metres. Let the people come and enjoy themselves. Shacks are being allowed to set up even 50 metres from the entrance,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Calangute panchayat has started clearing garbage around beach shacks following complaints, as part of an initiative to maintain cleanliness along the beach.

Sequeira said six wards in Calangute are sea-facing and ward members would work with shack owners to clean the areas.

“In all, there are six wards in Calangute that are sea-facing. Individual ward members will go with shack owners and clean the beach. Beach cleaning is very important for us,” he said.

The initiative was launched after complaints that garbage was being dumped behind the shacks amid dune vegetation, resulting in unhygienic conditions.

Sequeira alleged that the contractor appointed by the Tourism Department was not carrying out the cleaning work adequately.

“The tourism department contractor is not cleaning at all. Panchayat is also cleaning the Calangute beach promenade from Bandodkar statue to the stairs,” he said.