the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that the entire Goa coastline should be brought under surveillance, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo on Monday said the government should approach the centre for funds to install CCTV cameras along the State’s famed coastline.
“We need to install CCTV cameras along the entire coastal belt of Goa. It’s not only about controlling petty crimes on beaches. We have a long coast which could be used for terrorist acts. I will impress upon the chief minister to approach the centre for funds to bring the coastline under surveillance,” Lobo said.
The deputy speaker was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the installation of CCTV cameras on Calangute beach and important junctions in Calangue and Baga.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has installed 60 surveillance cameras under the central government’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme covering the Calangute beach and some important junctions in the coastal village including the Tito’s lane.
The high definition CCTV cameras have night vision IR optics with optical zooming power and can cover a distance of 5 kms.
Continuing, Lobo said the quality of tourists coming to Goa has come down but the quantity of tourists entering in the State has increased manifold.
“Besides keeping a track of thieves and criminals, CCTV cameras are also needed to keep track of rowdy elements among the tourists,” he said.
Touching on a sensitive issue, the Calangute MLA said people in the State should accept the reality that consumption of drugs among locals has gone up.
“Thefts like bag snatching have increased along the coastal belt because of drug menace,” he said.
He also lamented the fact that government has, till today, failed to set up a drug rehabilitation centre in the State.
Calangute Sarpanch, Shawn Martins informed that a police representative and a member of citizens’ forum will monitor the CCTV cameras from the control room set up at the panchayat premises.
“We received several complaints of touts cheating tourists, thefts, fights etc. With the CCTV cameras we will be able to keep track of such untoward incidents,” Martins said.
Welcoming the installation of surveillance cameras, Calangute PI, Nolasco Raposo said it would of great help while investigating cases.
He also said a feed of the cameras to Calangute Police Station would go a long way as he along with his staff could monitor the
cameras.
