MARGAO
Are the two culverts over the contaminated creek “ which facilitates tourists to enter and exit the world famous Colva beach “ part of the much-talked about Colva beautification plan?
While the proposed Colva beautification plan is the talking point in political and social circles, with the proposal mooting toilet block and a changing room, the two culverts are indeed craving for attention from the powers that be.
Of the two culverts, the one located adjacent to the traffic police cell booth resembles a state of utter neglect from the authorities. A close look at this culvert showed that the corroded steel rods of the column lie exposed to the weather conditions, but none of the authorities have till date deemed fit to carry out the repairs.
That’s not all. The very foundation of the culvert towards the beach side appears weak with erosion, with locals saying that it may give way if the authorities continue to show apathy and indifference.
When The Goan called up Colva Sarpanch Anthony Mama Fernandes to shed light on the condition of the culverts craving for attention, he demanded that the concerned authorities should immediately conduct a structural stability test of the two culverts considering the safety of the visitors and locals alike. “There’s been virtually no upkeep and maintenance of the culverts. The departments concerned should carry out the regular maintenance and upkeep of these culverts,” he said.
The Colva Sarpanch said the government should go for the construction of a new culvert in between the two existing culverts in the event the structural stability test reports shows that the culverts are weak and need major maintenance work. “The panchayat will also write a letter to the government authorities, including the Tourism department to inspect the two culverts’, he said.
One of the culverts, adjoining the Kentucky restaurant had developed a huge crater some years ago when the authorities had taken heavy machinery over the structure to raze down structures on the beach belt in the CRZ zone.
