CCP mulls hiring wardens to curb heritage tourism woes

Panaji: After receiving repeated requests from residents, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is positively considering floating a tender for engaging wardens through a private security agency to tackle tourism-related issues in the Sao Tome and Fontainhas heritage areas.

Mayor Rohit Monserrate held a meeting with the aggrieved Latin Quarter residents in his office on Tuesday. He said that the proposal is “under consideration” and added that the tender would be floated once the authorities concerned, including Revenue Minister and Panaji MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, give their nod.

“We are considering appointing wardens through a proper tendering process with an initial six-month duration. Based on its success, we can either extend the contract or initiate a fresh tender. Although these plans are currently being deliberated on, this represents our intended course of action,” Monserrate said.

He said that if the CCP gets approval from the authorities concerned to go ahead, then a joint consultation involving residents, CCP officials, and others concerned will determine the wardens’ scope of work.

“Once the wardens are positioned, residents will not have any authority over them. We want to ensure businesses there remain unaffected while at the same time no inconvenience is caused to any resident. We want tourists to enjoy themselves, but they cannot flout any rules and disturb the peace in the area,” Monserrate said.

He said that the proposal to deploy wardens in heritage areas aims to prevent tourists from blocking streets, stop people from placing their feet against house walls, and stop intrusive photography into private residences. However, general photography of houses from the streets will remain permitted.

He further said that the CCP will consider consulting the traffic police regarding the possibility of wardens enforcing basic traffic regulations like parking management.

During the meeting, residents also requested the mayor to install sign and information boards displaying tourist guidelines. They emphasised that these boards should maintain visual appeal and be pleasing to look at.


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