MAPUSA
The once serene and quintessentially Goan coastal belt of Calangute has lost its identity to unchecked illegal constructions, according to former MLA Agnel Fernandes.
The former two-time legislator expressed concern over the transformation of the area, lamenting that it no longer feels like the heart of Goa but rather resembles Belagavi.
Speaking about the changing landscape, Fernandes, who represented Calangute as a Congress MLA before joining the Trinamool Congress in 2022, pointed out that the stretch from Calangute to Baga and Arpora has lost its local charm.
“If you travel from Calangute to Baga and Arpora, you no longer feel that you are in Goa. With illegal constructions sprouting up on both sides of the road, it seems more like Belagavi than a Goan village. The names of the shops and the people you see aren’t Goan anymore,” he remarked.
Fernandes did not hold back in assigning blame for this transformation, directly targeting the local MLA, Michael Lobo, for what he described as the “change of face” of Calangute.
“The mushrooming of illegal constructions along the roadsides in Calangute constituency is the legacy left by the local MLA. The area has been completely altered, with green fields replaced by shops and business establishments,” he added.
As one travels from Calangute to Mapusa, Fernandes noted that the scenic greenery once characteristic of the region has given way to rows of illegal shops and commercial enterprises.
“Earlier, we could see vast expanses of green fields on this stretch, but now illegal constructions dominate both sides of the road,” Fernandes said.
He further highlighted that many of the businesses that have emerged in these areas are operated by non-Goans, a point of concern for the former MLA.
“You can’t see any Goans there anymore. The shops are run by outsiders. The local MLA says he gave Goans the chance to build, but if that’s the case, how have outsiders taken over?” Fernandes questioned.
His frustration extended to the perceived double standards in how authorities treat illegal activities.
According to Fernandes, if a local Goan is found in violation of construction regulations, swift action is taken, but when it comes to outsiders, such enforcement appears lax.
“Goans face immediate repercussions for any illegality, while outsiders continue with their businesses without fear,” he said.
The former MLA painted a grim picture of the future of Calangute under the current administration.
Pointing to areas like Parra, Arpora, and Nagoa, Fernandes noted that illegal constructions have become the norm.
“For the last 10 years under BJP rule, Calangute has been destroyed. We see only outsiders, and the once-unique Goan character of the area has vanished,” he lamented.
