Goa govt to issue tender for lifeguard services on beaches

Mumbai-based firm, which had won contract to man state's beaches 5 years back, would continue to render its services till new contract is signed

Goa Tourism Department is in the process of floating a tender to appoint private lifeguards on its beaches, after the five-year contract signed with the Mumbai-based firm expired last month.

State Tourism Director Nikhil Desai told PTI that Drishti Special Response Services Private Ltd, which had won the contract to man state's beaches five years back, would continue to render its services till the new contract is signed after the tendering process. Drishti has branded its Goa lifeguard operations as Surf Life Saving Goa (SLSG) which has 429 certified beach lifeguards guarding the beaches from 7.30 am till sunset.

According to Desai, the tendering process is underway and once it gets over, the lowest bidder will be appointed.

The lifeguard services were introduced following a rise in drowning cases here.