MARGAO
What was feared in the last few days that the Gazebos installed as part of the Colva beach beautification plan will crumble and give way to soil erosion has come true.
Not only the gazebos has crashed into the sea waters, but the wall around the Children’s park which plays host to ornamental lamps has also developed cracks due to the sea erosion.
The Goan had over a week ago sounded a note of caution how the soil erosion coupled with the apathy and indifference of the Tourism Department officials may cause loss to the exchequer if the gazebos are not immediately lifted away to safety from erosion.
Indeed, blame it on the apathy and indifference of the Tourism Department or otherwise, one of the gazebos has tumbled into the water with nature unleashing its fury in the last few days. Another gazebo is on the verge of crashing down, throwing up questions why the Tourism officials have not heeded to the warning sounded by the media and the local residents.
A local resident said it’s one thing that one of the gazebos has fallen down due to the sea erosion, but has brought to the fore the question of planning by the authorities in installing the gazebos close to the sea. “We have no idea whether the Tourism Department had consulted the local stakeholders before installing the gazebos and lamps close to the shore. It appears that the beautification plan was conceived and designed by sitting in air-conditioned rooms instead of taking the ground reality into account,” the local remarked.
He demanded to know why the Tourism Department did not act swiftly when the media had highlighted the state of the gazebos in view of the soil erosion. “We were at least expecting the Tourism Department officials to lift away the gazebos to a safer place and protect it from getting damaged. One of the gazebos is now lying in the waters and another is on the verge of tumbling into the water,” the local said, demanding to know whether the incident opened the eyes of the department and saves further loss and destruction to the property.
