Strict Action Against Tourist Nuisance in Goa: Fines Raised Up to ₹1 Lakh
Strict Action Against Tourist Nuisance in Goa: Fines Raised Up to ₹1 Lakh
Panaji | August 2, 2025: In a major push to safeguard the tourism experience and maintain public order, the Goa Assembly on August 1 passed the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2025, introducing tougher penalties for illegal activities and touting at popular tourist locations.
The amended bill, tabled by State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, seeks to crack down on a wide range of unauthorised actions — from coercive sales tactics and pestering tourists, to unauthorised hawking, begging, open-area cooking, and unauthorised vehicle use on beaches.
“There are agents for everything, and this bill is a positive step to regulate and eliminate touting activities,” said Khaunte, underlining the state’s commitment to promoting safe and regulated tourism.
Key Features of the New Law:
- Expanded Definition of Nuisance: Now includes activities like littering, floating object usage that causes danger or pollution, alcohol consumption or glass-breaking in restricted areas, unauthorised water sports ticket sales, selling tourism services for out-of-state locations without permission, and more.
- Heavy Penalties Introduced:
- Minimum fine: ₹5,000
- Maximum fine: ₹1,00,000
- Legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 for disobedience of a public servant’s orders.
- Biennial Fine Review (Section 10A): The law mandates a review of fines every two years, allowing for up to a 10% revision based on recommendations from the competent authority.
The amendment was deemed necessary due to a sharp rise in tourist footfall and increasing reports of misconduct, which have negatively impacted public safety, environmental health, and visitor satisfaction in Goa.
The government emphasized that this legislative move aligns with its broader mission of fostering responsible and regenerative tourism, ensuring that Goa remains a safe, clean, and welcoming destination for tourists and locals alike.
