Mangaluru city police to tighten safety norms for beachside homestays

Mangaluru: The city police will focus on enhancing safety in homestays located near beaches within the commissionerate limits.

Police have directed homestay owners to clearly display beach safety guidelines. These include warnings about shallow waters, beach depths near homestays, high and low tide timings, and restrictions on beach access during the monsoon.

Homestay owners must also display the contact details of the nearest police station. They are required to implement fire safety measures within their premises, Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal told DH on the sidelines of a meeting with the homestay and resort owners organised by the district administration and tourism department at the Police Commissionerate office in Mangaluru on Wednesday.

Around 118 homestay/ resort owners had taken part in the meeting. There are 99 homestays within the commissionerate limits. A total of 139 homestays operate in Dakshina Kannada district.

The state government issued new guidelines to strengthen safety measures in homestays. These guidelines were introduced following a recent tourist assault case in Koppal district.

“Homestay owners must collect valid ID proof and mobile numbers from all visitors at the time of registration. Background verification of homestay staff must be conducted by the police. Fire safety measures must be installed within the homestay premises. CCTV cameras must be placed in strategic locations. The CCTV recordings should be maintained for at least 30 days. If the homestay has a swimming pool, additional safety measures must be implemented. Owners will be held accountable in case of any untoward incidents,” he said.

“Form C submission is mandatory for foreign nationals staying at homestays. Homestays must ensure that no rave parties take place. Liquor should not be sold within the premises. Strict adherence to excise rules is required," he said.

If tourists are taken to trekking spots or forest areas, the police and forest department must be informed in advance. Inspectors have visited homestays within their jurisdiction. They have instructed owners to follow a checklist that includes maintaining guest registration records and installing CCTV cameras. An ACP-rank officer later held a follow-up meeting with the owners. They discussed safety shortcomings. Another internal review meeting is scheduled for next month, according to the Commissioner.

Homestays must have a backup power system in case of electricity disruptions. Washrooms should be well-maintained. Pure drinking water must be provided to guests. A price list should be displayed for transparency. A mechanism for receiving and addressing guest complaints must be in place. Food safety standards must be followed in the kitchen.

During the meeting, homestay owners raised concerns about the need for a single-window system to obtain clearances for operating homestays.

Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP assured them that efforts would be made to streamline the clearance process within the stipulated time frame.