PONDA
Neither have they been deterred by the fact that the entire area belongs to the agriculture department and authorities had even made attempts in the past to restrict entry to the site.
Barely two days after two youth from Vasco drowned in the Codar river, a number of picnic groups were at the site on Monday, a holiday on account of Worker’s Day, with many only to happy to swim in the river.
Efforts had been made to prevent swimming in the Codar river, after three youth had drowned in 2012. Following protests by locals, authorities restricted the entry point of agriculture department land, while police teams were also stationed in the area for about 15 days to ensure that picnickers did not visit the spot and swim in the area.
The department had also installed a board to warn people from trespassing into the area.
But all these precautionary measures have been forgotten by authorities and ignored by picnickers, who are only too happy to trespass into the area and enjoy a swim.
Local panch Prasad Prabhugaonkar has squarely blamed agriculture department officers for all the drowning cases in the river.
“Had the officers
Efforts had been made to prevent swimming in the Codar river, after three youth had drowned in 2012
Following protests by locals, authorities restricted the entry point of agriculture department land
Police teams were also stationed in the area for about 15 days to keep picnickers away from the spot
But all these precautionary measures have been forgotten by authorities and ignored by picnickers
