MARGAO
With the government easing Covid restrictions following a decline in positive cases, visitors have started flocking the world-famous Colva beach again. It may be recalled that, people had come in large numbers a fortnight ago, when the police had to block entry for fear of violation of social distancing norms.
The beach was not found crowded like in the past, but visitors’ presence on the beach was felt again after a two-month long lockdown. The visitors included locals, who headed to the beach side for a change. Domestic tourists were also found, but in small numbers.
With people come the trash too. Santosh Mirajkar
Fun time for the families with children at Children’s Park. Santosh Mirajkar
“So far, visitors have not made their presence felt in large numbers at the Colva beach. This is a monsoon season and we expect visitors to throng the beach after the rains”, remarked a local fisherman.
The Colva beach along with the adjoining Sernabatim beach belt had to face nature’s fury, beginning with Cyclone Tauktae two months ago, which had caused sea erosion along the beach belt.
Tourism stakeholders had shut down the restaurants and other business since the time the state had gone for a lock down when the second wave had hit the state in April last.
Sewage work hampers smooth flow of traffic
Sewerage works have been hampering smooth movement of traffic on the Colva beach road. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO: Colva roads played host to traffic congestion, but for a different reason. Roads dug up for laying underground sewage line have not yet been restored, contributing to the traffic congestion along the beach road.
With the contractor executing the soling work, and waiting for the rains to subside to restore the roads, traffic congestion has become the order of the day on the beach road. Locals as well as the police fear that the situation may go out of control with visitors making their increasing presence on the world famous beach.
Colva traffic cell in-charge, PI DeuMangaonkar said the traffic cell has written to the PWD as well as the contractor to take steps to restore the road condition at the earliest. He said the contractor has been cooperating with the authorities, and hoped that the road will be restored at the earliest.
Motorists say the condition of the road is hampering the smooth movement of traffic as motorists avoid the dug up portion.
