On Sunday evening, while people in Goa and the rest of India were still revelling in the celebrations of the Republic Day, the death of a 28-year-old youth at Arambol beach once again pierced the peace along the coast. Amar Bandekar, who was on his evening beach walk was assaulted after he reportedly moved a few chairs put up by a shack owner since they obstructed his path. What began as a minor spat escalated into a major assault resulting in the tragic death of Bandekar. This incident, while unique, falls into a broader pattern of chaos that has begun to define Goa’s tumultuous tourism landscape.
The unfortunate death in Arambol is not an isolated incident. Just weeks earlier, a tourist was killed in Calangute after a fierce disagreement with shack staff over a food order, and there have been cases of assaults before that too. The tension is in the air on one side, and there are gaping holes in the system on the other. Such violent confrontations are symptomatic of a failing system, one that has turned a blind eye to the corruption, negligence, and spiralling lawlessness characterizing Goa's tourism sector. With each violent episode, the perceptions of safety are irrevocably tarnished and the chinks in enforcement begin to show.
In an increasingly familiar narrative, recent events along the northern coastal belt have highlighted the dangerous culmination of ignored regulations and rampant illegalities. Shack owners continue to extend their operations beyond stipulated limitations, encroaching significantly on public spaces. Tables, chairs, and beach beds now stretch perilously close to the shore — an infringement that has completely gone unchecked. The shambolic enforcement of the shack policy — existing merely on paper—fuels a sense of lawlessness that leaves scope for such altercations.
All the recent cases of violence and deaths may appear isolated, but there is a common thread that binds them together -- the thread of violations, including the recent paragliding tragedy at Keri. Shacks, in their over-adventurism to attract business, have been wading beyond all boundaries. The point is, that piecemeal solutions don't work beyond a point. Authorities must understand that people could end up paying for the systemic compromises made to accommodate the interests of businesses on beaches. Yes, Goa needs tourism. But not at the cost of chaos or the cost of human lives.
It is disgusting that while the tourism department talks of high-end tourism, the visitors cannot even have the luxury of an unhindered stroll on the beach. Tourists or locals expect an environment that is not only enjoyable but also safe. Picture the serene peaceful ambience of beaches that Goa once showcased against the turmoil seen now. The local is lost in the crowd, and so is Goa's identity.
The ongoing allowance of illegal practices and unsafe conditions threatens the core of what makes Goa beloved. Restoring order along the shores is imperative — not merely as a means of ensuring safety but as a necessary step to preserve the peace and sanctity of tourism. The systemic failures faced by the tourism sector must be urgently addressed. It is a matter of safeguarding the very legacy that Goa embodies.
An actionable plan aimed at tightening regulations, enhancing enforcement, and promoting a culture of accountability is essential for reviving Goa's status as a serene and inviting destination, where both visitors, locals and businesses can coexist harmoniously by the sea.
