Parra Madani road in Goa is no stranger to eager tourists, Shah Rukh Khan fans and film buffs in general. The scenic internal road in Parra village surrounded by coconut groves on both sides is popularly called “Dear Zindagi” road after Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt cycled here during an unassumingly crucial scene in the film. But now, with a large number of tourists flocking to Parra Madani road and blocking it for selfies, it’s become a nuisance for Goans.
Tourists Flock Goa’s Parra Madani Road After ‘Dear Zindagi’ Pics
According to a report by The Indian Express, locals say the fame of Parra Madani road after the success of Dear Zindagi has come at a cost. The road hugged by coconut trees on either side, and surrounded by paddy fields is clogged by tourists and their vehicles. Tourists often block their vehicles in the middle of the road for selfies and reels. Moreover, for Goans, travelling on this narrow road is difficult due to vehicular congestion.
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Chandanand Harmalkar, the Parra sarpanch revealed to The Indian Express that the Para Madani road is a crucial one. This is because it connects the Parra village to North Goa’s popular tourist spots like Anjuna, Vagator, Calangute and Assagao, known for their breathtaking beaches and seafood restaurants. He further revealed that tourists park two-wheelers in the middle of the road, perform motorcycle stunts, take drone shots and even sit on the road for pictures.
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New Parking Spaces & Signboards To Curb Congestion & Chaos
And this is despite signboards instructing them not to park their vehicles there. As an antidote to this menace, the Parra panchayat has rented a small patch of land near the Dear Zindagi road for tourists to park their vehicles. They charge a nominal fee which helps them pay the rent for the land and also the volunteers. Apart from the hit film Dear Zindagi, this road has been featured in many other films and advertisements. Later, they plan to rent another parking spot to accommodate an increasing number of tourist vehicles.
Meanwhile, is visiting the famous Parra Madani road AKA Dear Zindagi road on your Goa itinerary too?
Cover Image Courtesy:@dearzindagifilm/ Instagram