Despite deployment of police, the roadside and footpaths of Gopalpur beach are occupied by vendors with parking.

Rajiblochan Mishra

Spl.Correspondent,Odishabarta

Gopalpur -On- Sea:While Gopalpur is known as a major tourist destination in southern Odisha, many tourists from the local and surrounding areas as well as from outside the state come here every day to visit with their families.  Tourists coming here, especially those who come here with their own vehicles, have to park their vehicles on the roadside, half a kilometre away from the beach. In addition, since last January, as per the instructions of the district administration, the beach area has been declared a No-Parking zone and the entry of vehicles has been banned.

 In addition, the Gopalpur police have deployed two constables at the beach entrance, Lighthouse Chack, from 6 am to 10 pm, and have been given the duty to restrict the entry of vehicles. In addition, 24-hour police personnel have also been deployed at the police outpost in the beach area, and it has been decided to collect fines from vehicles entering the no-parking zone along with the safety of tourists on the beach. But many times, the police personnel deployed on duty are seen leaving the vehicles unattended. 

There have been many complaints that the police are not doing their job properly, especially on Sunday when the tourist crowd gathers here. Since it is Sunday, many vehicles and motors have been seen leaving the beach. As a result, it has been alleged that the tourists are harassed by the parking of vehicles on the footpath meant for the movement of tourists. Along with this, many  shopkeepers have also taken over the footpath and opened their shops there, creating an unpleasant situation by taking over the footpath.