CALANGUTE: A team of officials from tourism department, GCZMA and Goa State Pollution Control Board demarcated areas for shacks in tourism department property at Gauravaddo, Calangute. However, the officials were surprised to see some shacks had already been erected before demarcation. The team noticed around 10 such shacks, which the officials objected to, while the shack operators tried to pacify them.
Tourism sources informed this daily that shack areas were demarcated as per numbers and that there are 108 shacks in Calangute and Baga. The team demarcated shacks at Gauravaddo where 23 shacks are to be set up.
The setting up of shacks has been delayed as no permission was given by GCZMA due to NGT guidelines.
Sources informed that as per rule three-metre distance needs to be maintained and no shacks should be erected on sanddunes.
The tourism officials said that after demarcation of the shacks provisional NOC will be given to persons who have been allotted shacks as per draw of lots and that the same team will inspect the sites after 30 days.
Mario Marques, a shack owner, said that “the team has demarcated the shack areas, leaving three-metre setback between two shacks and six-metre distance at the entrance of the beach. However, some erect shacks illegally; this will not be allowed.”
Some restaurant owners have objected to erection of shacks infront of their business premises.
Anthony Fernandes, another shack owner, said that some shack owners are making adjustments among themselves as things are already delayed and there is hardly any time left to erect shacks. He said this work will take atleast 15 days and a lot of investment is involved in erecting shacks.