MAPUSA
In addition to violations such as loud music and operating without proper permits, clubs and restaurants along the North Goa coastal belt, particularly in Anjuna, are causing further problems by failing to provide adequate parking spaces for their patrons.
This negligence forces hundreds of tourists and club-goers to park their vehicles in open spaces and along narrow village roads, resulting in significant inconvenience for local residents.
The situation has escalated in the popular beach destination of Anjuna, where several club venues particularly in the Ozrant area are allowing their customers to park vehicles on land belonging to the Anjuna comunidade.
This not only constitutes an unauthorised use of public land but also raises concerns about the lack of regulation and enforcement of parking norms by the authorities.
TRAFFIC CHAOS
The problem is not limited to Ozrant. In other parts of the North Goa coastal belt, tourists frequently park their vehicles along narrow village roads, exacerbating traffic congestion.
The situation is particularly acute during the peak tourist season when parking along roads causes traffic jams that stretch up to 3 kms long.
These prolonged traffic snarls disrupt the daily lives of local residents, many of whom rely on these roads for essential movement within the village.
Locals have expressed their frustration over the recurring issue.
"It's becoming impossible to navigate through the village, especially in the evenings when these clubs are at their busiest. The roads are narrow, and when cars are parked on both sides, it becomes a nightmare for us," said Milind Dhabolkar, a college student from Anjuna.
The problem is compounded by the fact that many of these clubs are located in areas where the local road infrastructure is already struggling to cope with the increased traffic from tourism.
With inadequate parking facilities provided by the establishments themselves, patrons are left with little choice but to park on the village streets.
LACK OF ENFORCEMENT, REGULATORY GAPS
The situation also highlights a glaring lack of enforcement of parking regulations and other local laws by authorities.
Despite numerous complaints from the local population, there has been little action taken against the violators.
The clubs and restaurants, some of which have become renowned for their nightlife, continue to operate without adequate provisions for parking.
Additionally, the use of land belonging to the Anjuna comunidade for parking by certain clubs raises legal questions.
The comunidade system is meant to preserve land for community use, but in this case, it is being exploited by private businesses without proper permissions.
A local activist commented, "This is not just about inconvenience; it's also about the illegal use of public land. The clubs are profiting, while the comunidade land is being encroached upon without any benefit to the village or its residents."
CALLS FOR ACTION
There is growing demand among locals for stricter enforcement of laws governing parking and noise regulations.
Many residents are urging local authorities to hold clubs and restaurants accountable for providing sufficient parking spaces and adhering to noise restrictions.
"If these businesses want to operate here, they need to follow the rules and respect the local community. It's time for the authorities to step in and ensure that they provide proper parking spaces for their customers and stop using our roads and land as their private parking lot," said Jawish Moniz, another resident from the area.
The issue of illegal parking and noise violations is not unique to Anjuna but is part of a broader problem affecting Goa's coastal belt, where tourism has often led to conflicts between local residents and commercial interests.
While tourism is a vital part of the State's economy, the lack of regulation and oversight is creating a strain on local infrastructure and quality of life.
As the tourist season in Goa intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will take necessary action to address these growing concerns, or if the problem will continue to spiral out of control, further disrupting the lives of the residents in these picturesque coastal villages.
