SHOAIB SHAIKH | NT
CALANGUTE: The hub of tourism activities in the state, Calangute constituency which consists of villages of Arpora, Parra, Calangute and Candolim, has been waiting to free itself from the clutches of a number of problems including traffic chaos, beach infrastructure, security and narcotics.
Though recently the constituency has witnessed a revamp of the sewerage pipeline and subsequent hotmixing of the roads, the traffic chaos stands out as the single largest problem in the minds of the locals.
Related to the traffic issues, locals want bus shelters to be constructed with state-of-art design given the importance of the place.
“There are no proper bus shelters, and wherever there is a bus shelter there are no regulations in place,” a senior citizen complained.
He said that at times senior citizens find it difficult to manage themselves with the rush around and two-wheelers charging from all sides to overtake and move ahead.
Apart from the bus shelters, movement of four-wheelers gets further chaotic due to the lack of proper parking spaces.
“You can see all along vehicles parked on both sides and at the same time we expect that the traffic movement should be smooth. How can that happen? There have to be designated spaces for the tourists to park their vehicles,” said a young man who was driving to his business place in Candolim.
However, silent, but the voices against the drug menace were evident. A woman said that during the late evening hours of the peak season it is business as usual.
“Since there is so much of police patrolling due to elections one will not see any nuisance around, otherwise you go to the beach and you will find drunkards littering the place and then at some corners people smoking narcotics,” she added.
Tourism infrastructure remains the main problem with beachside stores which said that proper pavements and security at the beach needs further upgradation.
“We expect that the government comes up with better facilities for the tourists. There have been attempts but we don’t feel that it is enough. Proper planning and thereafter execution is a must,” stated a middle-aged store manager.
Away from the main beach belt, Parra gives a better picture. However, locals complain that life is not easy as it seems now and want better planning.
A young person said, “We have been hearing of a master plan for the tourism sector, especially Calangute, but nothing has come true. We are hoping that a proper plan will help in putting up the constituency as a planned beach belt.”
Summing up the issues, a young entrepreneur with a snacks corner said, “While there can be many small issues, but people will not speak about them. People expect that the major issues are tackled and better infrastructure is provided. After all, until when are we going to cry about the same issues?”