Goa Tourism mulls having lifeguards round-the-clock at its beaches
What's the story
The Goa Tourism Department is contemplating deploying lifeguards round-the-clock to patrol the state's beaches. The state's Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said, "We are exploring the possibility of extending beach patrolling between dusk and dawn to prevent untoward incidents." Drishti Marine, the private agency contracted by the state government to provide lifeguards, currently deploys them at beaches from morning to sunset.
Details
Drishti Marine to get more vehicles, better infrastructive
Ajgaonkar said that Drishti Marine had been offered help in terms of vehicles and other infrastructure in order to implement this plan. The plan is being thought of following the death of three tourists off Calangute beach. Three tourists, including a police constable and his brother, from Akola in Maharashtra, had drowned in the Arabian Sea at Calangute beach early morning on June 11.
Meeting
Tourism Dept will ensure tourists' safety: Ajgaonkar
Ajgaonkar chaired a meeting to review safety and security of tourists visiting Goa. His department would work towards ensuring that tourists adhere to safety regulations at beaches and added that amendments would be made to the Tourists Trade Act, if required, to impose fines on violators. Shacks have been asked to install CCTVs from next season failing which their licenses would be canceled.
Information
WhatsApp to be used to connect to law-enforcement agencies
A senior Tourism Department official said a proposal was mooted to set up village committees, comprising industry stakeholders, police and tourism officials, to take responsibility for tourism in a particular area. WhatsApp would be used to connect to law-enforcement agencies to report violations or incidents.