PANAJI
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is reconsidering its decision to dismantle the fire-damaged and neglected mangrove boardwalk at Rua de Ourem, after a private entity offered to restore the property at its own expense.
The development comes barely days after the civic body, during its May 19 budget meeting, resolved to demolish the long-abandoned structure. The property, built by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Corporation, has suffered extensive deterioration, and a recent fire further exposed its state of decay.
Officials familiar with the discussions told The Goan that the proposal prompted the Corporation to reconsider immediate demolition.
“We have received the proposal, though no decision has been made on it yet. If the proposal is approved, the Corporation will formally invite tenders for the restoration work. For now, the demolition of the property is being reconsidered,” the official said.
The boardwalk, spread across nearly 1,100 sq mtrs along the Rua de Ourem creek in Patto, was conceived as part of the Smart City initiative and projected as a rare ecological and educational attraction in the capital. Built by the IPSCDL, it was meant to serve as a mangrove interpretation space, a destination for migratory bird watchers and a public recreational corridor within the city. Instead, over the years, it slipped into disrepair.
Wooden planks splintered and collapsed, barricades gave way, and sections of the structure became unsafe and inaccessible long before portions of the boardwalk caught fire last month.
Meanwhile, the CCP officials said that the restoration proposal includes converting the site into a regulated educational facility, primarily for students and educationists, while introducing a maintenance model intended to prevent further vandalism and misuse.
“It will be revenue sharing,” the source added, indicating that access could eventually be ticketed to ensure it is not further misused or deteriorated. The Corporation has also denied receiving any proposal from the Charles Correia Foundation. The CCF is yet to respond to The Goan's email query.
While the smart city agency had earlier maintained that upkeep of the facility was handed over to the CCP after completion of the project, the CCP said phase two of the property has still not been formally transferred to them.
“We cannot be held liable for works that have not been formally handed over to us,” the source said, while maintaining that the CCP had continued to carry out basic upkeep in the area. “Even in the case of certain projects, such as promenades that are yet to be officially transferred, the CCP still undertakes cleanliness and maintenance-related work.”
