Goa’s civic infrastructure isn’t keep-ing pace with its changing needs. In De-cember, the busiest month, there are four-hour long traffic jams everywhere.

The beach from Candolim to Bagga is 8 km long and there are an astounding 230 shacks on this stretch. The killer: there’s yet no proper garbage disposal system in place for them. The state gov-ernment is cracking down on construc-tion by enforcing a law whereby con-verting agricultural land into residential will be impossible till 2011. However, a lot of damage has already been done.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act prevents anyone from constructing within 200 metres from the sea. This has been violated repeatedly. Four-storey malls stand cheek-by-jowl with old Por-tuguese homes and centuries-old churches. On the highway, huge ad hoardings block the view of the pic-turesque hilly terrain and the ocean.

Everywhere is a hotel, restaurant or shop. Goan architecture, a skilful blend of European and Indian sensibilities, is making way for modern structures. The government urgently needs to work on preserving the beauty and unique cul-ture of Goa. After all that’s precisely what lures everyone here.