Panaji: Tourists flocked the beaches in Goa to usher in the New Year, jamming the lanes approaching the coastal belt this evening. Huge crowd was seen on almost all the beaches of the state, gathered to bid farewell to 2008. The security was tightened in the state with joint surveillance undertaken by Goa police, Para-military forces, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
The Indian Army is also consulted for their help, if need arises. Goa is reeling under the fear of terror attack post 26/11 Mumbai attack. The sand bag posts are installed at major places along the coastline in the state. The tourism industry which showed initial downslide by upto 40 per cent revived post Christmas. The evening saw huge crowds especially from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Police have commissioned a special traffic plan for the week along the beaches. The parking slots are shifted a kilometer away from the beaches. Although the beach parties are banned, the hotels have planned night bashes which will continue till mid night. The security is also tightened at Churches as devotees will throng here for mid-night masses. Metal detectors are installed at major churches and everyone is checked thoroughly before allowed to go in.
