CALANGUTE SHACK OWNERS COMPLAIN OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ALONG COAST

Although the dust has settled with regards to allocation and setting up of shacks along the coastline, the shack owners, in a new development, have complained that the Tourism Department has till date not shown interest in helping the genuine shack owners.
The shack owners have further claimed that by now almost half the tourist season has gone by and yet the Tourism Department has not taken a clear stand on the shacks on the beach. Mr Manuel Cardozo, the president of the Traditional Shack Owners Association informed, “A lot of illegal shacks have come up on the Calangute-Candolim coastline, and the Tourism Department is not taking any action over these shacks. Secondly the area on which we have to put up our shacks, is still not demarcated and given to us. Under these circumstances, how can we go ahead with our work of erecting shacks?” He blamed the tourism department for total failure on this front. Significantly, Mr Cardozo claimed that around 190 shacks were to come up on the entire Calangute-Candolim coastline, but added that in the absence of demarcation of land and illegal shacks being put up, the genuine shack owners were suffering. Director of Tourism, Mr Swapnil Naik on the other hand claimed that demarcation of land for setting up shacks on Calangute beach had been completed; however, he said that the exercise was now being carried out at Camotim vaddo and Escrivao vaddo in Candolim. He said, “Except in these two places, the demarcation could not be done earlier for some reasons, the exercise is already conducted in other places. However, we are presently in the process of demarcation in the two above places.” He also added that the concerned shack owners are being informed about the demarcation. Speaking about illegal shacks on these beaches, Mr Naik said that the necessary equipment and manpower is being sought, and illegal shacks will be demolished on December 23. Meanwhile, with Christmas and New Year fast approaching, tourists are beginning to flock to the Calangute and Vagator beaches. A big rush of tourists is being witnessed on these beaches in the evenings and the lifeguards are on their toes taking all necessary precautions to prevent drowning accidents.