MAPUSA
In the wake of a fatal incident that claimed the life of a local resident in Arambol, authorities have launched a renewed drive to enforce long-standing regulations on beach encroachments along North Goa’s popular coastal belt.
However, the reality is that the police and the tourism officials have either been complicit or turned a blind eye, enabling the illegal business on the beach belt to flourish.
The Arambol tragedy has now forced police and tourism officials to confront persistent violations involving the placement of beach beds, tables and chairs well into the waters near the high tide line – actions that contravene established tourism department guidelines.
Officials report that a series of stakeholder meetings have been convened in recent weeks. Senior police officers from Mandrem, Calangute, Anjuna, and Morjim have issued stern warnings to shack operators and their staff across the coastal region, emphasising that taking the law into their own hands will not be tolerated.
“We are committed to ensuring that public access to the beaches is maintained and that all operations comply with the regulations,” a senior police officer said.
Local police are also under scrutiny for their handling of illegal subletting practices.
There are growing concerns that shack operators are leasing their premises to non-Goans in violation of local regulations, a practice that has sparked allegations of corruption and selective enforcement.
Critics argue that behind the seemingly sporadic enforcement of these regulations lies a culture of complicity.
“Every one’s palms are greased to look the other way,” said an activist familiar with the local dynamics along the coastal belt. “Police will definitely look the other way when they stand to benefit. This is an open secret – whether it is controlling noise pollution, running business in shacks, or turning a blind eye to water sports that violate regulations,” he added.
Sources within the community claim that local economic interests have, at times, influenced law enforcement decisions, with pressure mounting on police officials not to act too strictly against transgressions that could impact local businesses.
Despite assurances from senior officials that action is taken as soon as violations come to light, there is a growing perception among residents and activists that enforcement remains inconsistent. This has left many questioning what truly stops the police from taking decisive action against persistent infringements along the beach belt.
As the debate continues, local stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and accountability. They urge authorities to not only enforce existing rules more rigorously but also to ensure that public safety and environmental sustainability are prioritised over short-term economic gains.
With the tragic loss in Arambol serving as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of lax enforcement, the call for reform in how Goa’s beaches are managed is louder than ever.
