Safe Goa: Beach patrolling till midnight from September

New Delhi, July 26: Patrolling at Goa's beaches will be now be till midnight. The measure will be implemented from September, when the tourist season begins. This step is in addition to the ban on drinking on the beaches will ensure that the Goa's beaches safe and crime-free.

Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told today that the India Reserve Batallion (IRB) would maintain vigil till midnight to curb crimes on the beaches. Earlier, the IRB personnel were stationed at beaches until 9 pm.

As patrolling hours are being increased, the number of IRB personnel would be increased from 160 to 235 to guard the 105km-long shoreline.

No drinking on beaches

Since April this year, carrying liquor glass bottles and drinking on Goa's beaches has been banned.

The IRB has been preventing people from stepping on the beach with alcohol or glass bottles.

The state tourism department had received complaints that tourists were getting injured after stepping on broken liquor bottles on the beaches.

People can now only drink at licensed premises where liquor is served. This includes shacks and hotels.

CCTVs at shacks

Meanwhile, the state tourism ministry has also decided to give three-year licences for shacks on beaches as against the earlier policy of permits valid only for a year.

Tourism ministry officials will begin consultations with shack owners about the new tourism policy, which will be announced on 15 August , he said.

One of the proposals for shack owners would be that they have to install CCTV cameras at their establishments, although that would not be mandatory, he said.

The state-run Goa Tourism Development Corporation has decided to set up and operate a model shack at Baga beach.

OneIndia News