The famous Dona Paula jetty, which is a popular tourist spotis in a total state of neglect.
The railings have either corroded or at many places broken,posing a grave threat to tourists who visit the place. The electrical lamps toohave stopped functioning, while the jetty wears a shabby look.
Lack of maintenance is primarily responsible for reducingthe the jetty’s condition to such a pass, even as authorities play the “passingthe buck” game.
As precautionary measure some bamboo sticks have replaced thebroken steel railings, particularly at the area where the sea waves meet therocks creating a beautiful water spray.
Many tourists who like to click their pictures with thewater spray at the background put their lives at risk.
Local corporator, Nilesh Cabral said that it was for thetourism department to take up repair works of the Dona Paula jetty, as the samehas not been handed over to CCP.
“Light fixtures are functioning but it’s kept off aselectric current passes through the lamp poles,” Cabral disclosed.
When The Goan contacted the tourism department, deputydirector, Pamela Mascarenhas had this to say: “The jetty is under the CCP. We only take care of the garden area.”
It was way back in 2004 that renovation work was undertakenat Dona Paula jetty. Since then no steps have been taken to maintain it.Sources claim that during the renovation only steel railings were installed.The railings were not painted due to which they have corroded.
Even the lighting fixtures are not functioning, as out of120 fixtures only around 27 are in working condition.
According to Alfred Vaz, captain of Drishti major problemarises when the sea is rough.
“The tourists sometimes don’t listen to us climbing onbroken railings which could be very dangerous, as it could be lifethreatening,” Vaz said.
Its over five years now for this state of affairs at thejetty, he added.
“We are here till the sunset. After that there is no one toguide the tourists. Authorities should look into the matter and take appropriatesteps,” Vaz said.
“Tourism department is aware about the dilapidated conditionof railings and an estimate has already been prepared amounting to Rs 7.38 lakhwhich is being tendered through Goa State Industrial Development Corporation,”Mascarenhas said.
She further disclosedthat the department had sent a reminder to GIDC over the lighting fixtures onAugust 17.
“We are still waiting for them to send us the estimates. Thetourism department will pay them for all the fixtures, as special fixtures arenot available with the electricity department,” she added.
