VASCO:
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Tuesday said a dedicated team of over 50 volunteers would be stationed at the busiest Ganesh Visarjan site at Baina beach to collect flowers and Nirmalya from Ganesh idols after the Visarjan ceremonies.
Amonkar was speaking to reporters after a joint inspection of the visarjan site in Baina beach with various authorities including Dy Collector Bhagwant Karmali, Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer Jayant Tari, ward councillor Shraddha Amonkar, officials from police, traffic, and electricity departments.
"We have convened a joint inspection of this visarjan site at Baina ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festival and Baina beach is one of the busiest visarjan sites. We are trying to take maximum precautions to ensure there is no untoward situation during the visarjan."
"We have also involved Dy Collector Bhagwant Karmali and his team besides police officials, Drishti lifeguards, Gammon India, and electricity department as well. I have given them some responsibilities so that the visarjan is done smoothly without any inconvenience to anyone," said Amonkar.
"One major issue is about flowers and Nirmalya (flower petals and leaves adorned on Ganesh idols) usually left behind or washed ashore after visarjan is done. We have formed a team of around 50 dedicated volunteers from nearby wards to collect all flowers, Nirmalya during the visarjan," said Amonkar.
The MLA said the MMC chief officer will provide a vehicle, and the team will load the Nirmalya on this vehicle and bury it at a spot identified so that people's sentiments are not hurt as the flowers are also considered holy and must not be dumped in the garbage.
Amonkar said other aspects were also discussed with respective departments to ensure a smooth visarjan at Baina beach. "We need more illumination at Baina beach area and have directed the electricity department to have more lighting and focus lights in this area."
"A major issue is that the approach road towards the beach is uneven and can cause hindrance to many people who arrive here with their Ganesh idols. We have instructed Gammon India to take up work on the road before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Drishti will have additional staff and lifeguards along with a vehicle to assist in the visarjan ceremonies," said Amonkar.
