The Tourism Department has decided to expedite the tendering process to appoint a permanent contractor for beach cleaning that was mired in controversy during the tenure of Dilip Parulekar as the Minister for Tourism from 2012-2017.
The current minister Manohar Azgaonkar, who is desperately trying to retain the contract with the department, has directed his officials to expedite the process in a time-bound manner. “The minister has instructed the department to expedite the tendering process for beach cleaning works in a time bound manner. In the meantime, he has assured to press into service all interim measures until permanent solutions are worked out in this direction,” disclosed an official.
The then government had terminated the contract of Ram Engineering and Construction Company, and Bhumika Clean tech Pvt Ltd following allegations of a scam to the tune of Rs 14.80 crore. The role of former minister Parulekar had also cropped up with Rohan Khaunte, who is now a part of the present coalition government moving the Goa Lokayukta seeking investigation.
Former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar-led government last December reached out to Drishti Lifesaving Services to step in and assist with garbage collection along the beaches on a temporary basis. Accordingly, Drishti offered its assistance and mobilized manpower and equipment for clearing garbage from the beaches of Goa starting December 17, 2016.
As a stop gap arrangement until concrete measures are put in place to ensure cleanliness and hygiene on the beaches, the current tourism minister has decided to launch a new WhatsApp initiative. “The WhatsApp number will be announced shortly wherein the general public can use the same to connect with the existing arrangement made by the department for cleaning of beaches in the State. One can share the location where waste is strewn or piled up and the designated contractor will take corrective measures within 24 hours and report to the Department of Tourism,” an official said.
Azgaonkar also reviewed the status on the project for having toilets, urinals and changing rooms and other utility facilities on the beaches. All information on the infrastructure projects proposed at major beaches in North Goa and South Goa were placed before the minister. He directed the concerned departments to expedite these proposals too.
“Azgaonkar has expressed his keenness of ensuring that the beaches in Goa remain clean and Goenkars and tourists are not inconvenienced at any given point of time throughout the year,” a press release issued by the department reads.

Team TNV