MARGAO
Strange it may seem but true that there’s virtually no illumination on the entire stretch of the Cavelossim beach “ known as the hub of starred resorts.
A visit to the beach on Sunday revealed that there was absolutely no illumination on the beach stretch. And, the only illumination worth its name was the decorative lamps at the beach shacks.
In fact, the large Sunday crowd had to wind up their visit to the beach due to pitch dark conditions.
What’s interesting to note is that the visitors from the neighbouring villages pointed out that the Cavelossim beach had been craving attention on the illumination front, but in vain.
When The Goan called up the authorities to find out the absence of illumination on the beach stretch, they resorted to a blame game, with each department pointing fingers at the others.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Desmond Dias informed that the beach illumination falls in the domain of the Tourism department. He pointed out that the department had plans to install a high-mast lamp near the Leela beach hotel, but the proposal has not materialized to date.
He added: “The Panchayat also wanted another high mast lamp to come up at the beach opposite Old Anchor”.
President of Goa Shack Owners Society Cruz Cardozo conceded that the Cavelossim stretch of the Salcete beach belt has been without illumination for reasons best known to the authorities. “The issue of illumination has been pending for years now. It is for the authorities to take a call on the illumination of the beach stretch”, Cardozo added.
When The Goan contacted a Tourism official to shed light on the absence of high mast lamps on the Cavelossim beach belt, he said a formal proposal should come from the panchayat body undertaking to foot the bill of power consumption. It was further pointed out that the local MLA should recommend to the Tourism department to install a high mast lamp at a particular spot.
“There was a demand to install a high mast lamp opposite the Old Anchor hotel, but the proposal did not come from the outgoing MLA. The department will take a call if a proposal is mooted by the incumbent MLA”, the official added.
