Goa to have special drinking zones soon
More than a year after banning consumption of alcohol on Goa’s beaches, state Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said that special zones would be created on the state’s popular beaches for picnics and liquor drinking.
Speaking at a press conference in Panaji Mr Ajgaonkar also said that after the completion of special zone, those drinking outside it on beaches would be fined Rs 5,000.
“When implementing the ban on drinking we want to create a special zone for picnics. A lot of local groups want to have picnics along the beach and we have decided to keep spots along the beach side — one or two at each beach where those who want to go can go and drink — a picnic zone,” Mr Ajgaonkar said.
“Police head constables have been given powers, wardens will be there too as well as supervisors, who will have the power to fine people drinking alcohol outside these designated zones,” the Tourism Minister also said.
In January 2019, the Goa cabinet had passed a law banning consumption of alcohol in public places and assured a crackdown on ‘boozing’ on beaches and other tourist sites in the coastal state, which attracts nearly eight million tourists every year.
This law came as a shock for the country specially the youth as Goa was the main party place in India and people travelled from all over the world to come and party here. After facing criticism, one year later the law has been modified to some extent which will be a relief to the young urban population of India.
