Baga stretch facing security risk

by GLENN COSTA
Posted on 2008-11-24
PANAJI- The Baga stretch, one of the famous tourist spots in Southeast Asia, overflowing with shacks, restaurants, hotels, is facing what could potentially be a major security risk, especially given that it is already on the terrorists’ radar. Due to its narrow approach road and haphazard parking it becomes difficult for a car to move comfortably here even on a week day.
Taking into consideration this catastrophe waiting to happen, the police have written to the PWD suggesting remedial measures.
Goa boasts of some of the world’s most beautiful beaches along its 100 km coastline - pristine stretches of golden sands bordering the magnificent Arabian Sea. The state became popular in the mid-eighties when the charter flights arrived and it began to change. The sleepy character gave way to boom time with the number of visitors skyrocketing from 1,26,130 in 1996 to 23,42,649 in 2006. The parking outside restaurants on the Baga stretch spills on to the road and traffic moves at a snail’s pace through the narrow, winding, village road. Weekends and the period from Christmas to New Year are the most crowded and subsequently face the highest risk.
The police in their communique to the PWD have suggested some remedial measures: the road from Calangute Circle up to Baga end (Baga bus stand) to be widened by at least two metres each on either side of the road, the road from Hacienda Junction (Sauntawada) to Agarwada Junction to be widened by at least two metres each on either side of the road, the road from Prabhuwada Junction (Villa Emmanuel House) to Khobrawada Junction (Our Lady of Piety School) may be widened by at least two metres each on either side of the road, the lane leading to Mambos and Titos from the main Baga road may be widened by at least one and half metre each on either side.
Also, the lane leading to Lounge Fly may be widened by at least one and half metre each on either side.
They also suggest that off-street parking place may be developed near the Baga bridge. The police have also suggested widening of the two narrow inner roads with a width of about 3 metres connecting Calangute-Arpora road and Calangute-Baga road, one from Hacienda Hotel and another from Our Lady of Piety School which serve as important links which would in fact be very useful in case of emergency. If these roads are widened, they could also be put to use to ease traffic congestion on the Calangute-Baga main road. Government sources also informed that there was a proposal some years back to construct another road. However, the proposal is apparently gathering dust, probably in the Mapusa PWD office.
The police officials stated that the changes are needed as the road proceeding from Calangute towards Baga is narrow having a width of just about 5 to 6 metres with no footpath and with houses, shops, restaurants and vendors on either side of the road. They also criticised the large number of encroachments along this road.
The police have reasoned out that in emergency cases service vehicles like police, fire services or ambulances would find it difficult to move due to the haphazard parking which causes obstacles to the smooth flow of two-way traffic.
The police have specifically pointed out that thousands of tourists visit Calangute and Baga every day during the tourist season and famous disco clubs like Titos, Mambos and Lounge Fly etc are located here. Thus there is a heavy flow of traffic and pedestrian movement on the Calangute-Baga road which makes the road congested and due to non-availability of parking space people are forced to park their vehicles on this narrow and busy road. Also, most of the restaurants and other commercial establishments have direct opening on the main road with no road set back and parking place and nothing seems to be done about it.