FAS REWIND
- SEPT 1, 2021
A rent-a-car was stuck at Morjim beach with waves striking the stricken vehicle. The car driver, Gourav Bishwad was arrested on charges of rash and negligent driving. The car was pulled out and sent for inspection and further action.
- SEPT 29, 2021
Tourists from Punjab were found riding scooters on Coco beach at Nerul. Two of the tourists were later fined Rs 600 each by the police. This incident, like the others, went viral on social media, prompting sharp and angry reactions from people.
- JUNE 16, 2022
A Delhi group was booked for driving a private car on Anjuna beach. The car got stuck in the sand and partially submerged in the sea after the driver drove the car straight down to the beach from the Vagator helipad. The driver was arrested and the car was seized for RTO formalities.
- NOV 20, 2022
Telangana registered SUV wreaked havoc by driving on the Arossim beach and running over two brown-headed gulls. When a crowd gathered and threatened to call the police, the notorious tourists too threatened to call the tourist protection squad and took advantage of this protection. Police are yet to trace the vehicle and arrest the accused.
PANAJI
Notwithstanding existing laws and travel websites cautioning tourists to follow do’s and don’ts in Goa with emphasis on not driving/riding on the pristine beaches, visitors continue to throw the norms to the wind in the coastal State.
Taking cars or bikes to the shores merely to gain extra attention on social media has become a common phenomenon among tourists in Goa while authorities’ action follows only after the violation goes viral.
The death of brown-headed migratory gulls on Arossim beach, for no fault of theirs, has rattled the environmentalists. The reckless driver of a Land Rover Defender SUV numbered TS 12 EV 3333 is still at large. The unidentified man also tried to run over his car onto a tourist warden who tried to stop him.
“We have identified the car. The reckless driver will soon be in our custody,” justified an officer, on being questioned by The Goan regarding the arrest of the Telangana-based driver.
The State’s coastline has been a witness to such nuisances as tourists have been under the wrong impression that in Goa, “kuch bhi chalta hai.”
As many as six cases of unruly tourists driving their vehicles on beaches including protected areas are recorded this year, to date. But these are only those offences that were booked by the police after the visuals went viral on social media channels. As per the police and tourist wardens, the stark violation of the law is visible nearly every week or fortnight. “Some are reported to the tourism department and the police and some offenders are let go after a warning,” the warden said.
One of the travel websites through its title “10 car and bike things you should NOT do in Goa” sends a clear message about what is not acceptable in the tourist State. The nuisances on the beaches despite awareness messages, however, indicate irresponsible tourism.
"Either rental vehicles or private vehicles of the tourists are parked along the shoreline or driven through the sand and waters recklessly. Our personnel warn them, but the rowdy tourists intimidate our men. It's a challenging task to handle such a menace. Those coming in big groups are usually the trouble creators. Nevertheless, complaints are filed against violators," a tourism official said, wishing anonymity.
The local authorities have also booked tourists riding bikes in clandestine clothes and resorting to vulgarity on moving bikes.
To a question on another travel site website about taking vehicles on the beach, a user said, “Why need a vehicle to take photos? The beauty of a beach is the peace and quiet and the ability to WALK along slowly and take all the photos you want.”
