GTDC to put up barriers to stop entry of vehicles on beaches

Panaji: With tourists continuing to blatantly drive private vehicles on the beaches, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation has decided to erect concrete bollards, gates and walls along certain beaches. The GTDC will spend Rs 6 crore to put concrete bollards, iron gates and walls across beaches in North and South Goa.

“The tourism department is doing that to prevent the illegal entry of vehicles,” said tourism director Suneel Anchipaka.

The tourism department hopes to complete the work of installing the barriers within a year from the work order being issued.

Goa has witnessed several instances of tourists taking their vehicles and rented vehicles for a drive on the beach, often even driving near turtle nesting sites. Goa police have also issued directions to tourists not to drive any vehicle on the beach as it is prohibited.

A combination of bollards, concrete walls and cast iron gates will be put up at the entrance of beaches where vehicles find it easy to drive onto the sand dunes and to the waterline.

The state witnessed several instances where vehicles got stuck in water or in the sand and had to be towed out.