Goa to Impose ₹5,000–₹50,000 Fines for Public Drinking, Littering; Glass Bottle Ban Likely on Beaches
New Delhi : In a move to promote responsible tourism and protect the environment, the Goa government has announced strict penalties for public drinking and littering at public places and tourist spots. Fines will now range from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000, as part of the government’s effort to tackle the growing problem of broken glass and plastic waste, especially on the beaches. Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, speaking in the state assembly, said that public drinking has now been officially classified as a public nuisance under the law.“We have seen tourists getting injured because of broken bottles and plastic waste,” Khaunte said. “There has to be discipline. Drinking in public and breaking bottles cannot be tolerated.”The new rules fall under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 2001, and the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001. These laws now ban drinking and the careless discarding of bottles in public spaces and designated tourist areas. To curb the issue of glass waste, the government is also planning to launch a glass bottle deposit scheme. Under this system, a refundable deposit will be charged when drinks are sold in glass bottles. The scheme has already been notified and will be rolled out after discussions with the Chief Minister. “We’re not banning alcohol, but there must be accountability in how it’s consumed, especially in public spaces,” Khaunte explained. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and said the government is considering limiting the sale of liquor in glass bottles along the coastal areas.
“The maximum business in Goa is from wine and bar outlets, but I will examine the possibility of banning the sale of liquor in glass bottles within 50 meters along the coastal belt,” the Chief Minister said. “After examining, we will issue directives to wine stores in those areas.” In addition to regulatory measures, the government has also launched a new beach cleaning contract aimed at improving cleanliness along the state’s 82.2 km coastline. Since March 1, a team of 525 workers has been cleaning 50 beaches and 102 dead ends in rotating shifts. Khaunte added that the government is also encouraging Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to participate in the beach maintenance initiative.
“We want to ensure our beaches are clean and safe for everyone,” he said. “We are also open to involving SHGs in this contract. Any SHG that’s interested will be given a section of the beach to manage under the tender process.” To improve tourist awareness, the Tourism Department plans to install bilingual signage – in English and Hindi – outlining the do’s and don’ts for visitors, before the start of the upcoming tourism season.
“This is about protecting our environment and our visitors. If tourists feel safe, they’ll come back. That’s the goal,” Khaunte added. The government says these steps are part of a larger strategy to preserve Goa’s natural beauty, ensure safety for tourists and locals, and promote clean, responsible tourism. A formal bill on these new regulations is expected to be tabled in the assembly soon.