Goa got funding for CCTV installation drive as part of central government scheme. (Representational)
Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, who has earlier blamed outsiders for ruining Goan culture, has now announced that CCTV cameras installation on Goa's beaches had started and in the first phase it would cover the coastline of North Goa.
The first phase of the work, covering the coastline between Sinquerim to Keri, which includes popular Calangute and Baga beaches, was underway, while approval for the second phase covering Panaji-Canacona area was awaited, he said.
"The government had obtained funds for this drive under the Union Government's Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS)", Mr Ajgaonkar told news agency PTI.
SDS is part of central government's initiative for boosting tourism, in which, Rs 959.91 crore has been allocated for the Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits. Under SDS, in total 13 thematic circuits has been identified across the nation for their development.
"We plan to set up special control rooms for monitoring CCTV footage at various Tourist Information Centres. CCTVs cameras will be made mandatory for beach shack operators too," the minister said.
In 2016, about 63.30 lakh domestic tourists and 6.80 lakh foreign tourists visited the coastal state.
"Safety measures at hotels, tourist spots are now visible. Deployment of 100-odd India Reserve Battalion force and over 600 lifeguards along the coast, special women taxi service and CCTV cameras are adding more impetus to safety measures", Mr Ajgaonkar added.
The previous BJP government in the state led by former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar had announced to cover shacks of every Goa beach with CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras by October 2016.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)