Domestic tourists cook up a storm on Calangute roadside

CALANGUTE

: Much of the

Calangute-Candolim

tourist hub has turned into one giant open-air camp this season. Low-budget domestic tourists, armed with cylinders and stoves, merrily camp on random roadsides and begin their culinary adventures even as the authorities concerned turn a blind eye.

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar had recently announced in the assembly that the state would provide ‘camping’ facilities for such tourists who can’t afford restaurants. Around 10 days ago, he visited Calangute to inspect the ‘camping’ sites, proposed on Calangute comunidade land.

Local tourism stakeholders say that “no camping facilities are being provided where one can cook. Open spaces in Calangute-Candolim and Baga are occupied by tourists to camp.”

A large number of tourists who arrive in buses camp in the fields in front of Calangute church. Since the buses are not allowed inside Calangute, the tourists proceed to cook their food in the fields.

Calangute comunidade attorney Anthony Dsouza told TOI the time was too short to arrange ‘camping’ facilities.

“But this cooking on the roads should be stopped as it is creating a public nuisance,” he said. “Also, they’re bringing gas cylinders, which is an offence as you cannot carry such cylinders from one state to another.”

However, it isn’t only the Calangute stretch that’s home to open-air campers. The sight is common at many other places during the Christmas week. A local, TOI spoke to, said that the government should at least earmark camping sites before next season.

Meanwhile, restaurants have hiked their prices. Even small local joints that usually serve a fried mackerel for Rs 30-40 have risen to the occasion and now charge Rs 70 for the same piece.