MARGAO
Who's responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the heritage Monte Hill area, especially the steps leading to the Chapel on the hillock via Hospicio? The hillock is fast turning out to be a favourite den for anti-socials.
Looking at the sorry state of the hillock, it appears that it is neglected probably for the sole reason that it falls in a no man's land with hardly any voters around.
It's not just the green cover atop the hillock that has come under threat from builders, the very aesthetics and the beauty around the picturesque Monte Hill, including the Hospicio steps leading to the Chapel, have been craving for attention from the powers that be and the local
authorities.
Otherwise, consider this: Just a drive on the road from the TB hospital end to the Chapel and further down reveals that the place is being frequented by anti-socials. Empty liquor and beer bottles strewn all along the road is a grim reminder that all's not well atop the isolated hillock.
Waste and litter along the road passing by the Chapel indicates that the local civic body has not bothered to lift the waste for quite for a considerable time. In fact, waste has been found dumped along the entire road stretch, right from the TB hospital end down to the Hospicio steps.
The steps leading to Monte Hill Chapel from Hospicio is another typical case of neglect by the authorities. Renovated under the MPLAD scheme of former MP Francisco Sardinha, the entire place is craving for attention.
A visit to the area revealed a disturbing scenario. Broken benches welcomed visitors, while stray dogs have made the area their home. The damaged and broken ornamental lamps bear testimony to the fact that the area is hit by neglect and apathy. Inquiries revealed that these lamps have been lying in a state of neglect for over half a decade now for want of maintenance.
One can find cigarette butts strewn around the broken benches. These indicate that the steps and the entire area, which was developed to infuse life and make it a happening place, are frequented by anti-socials. Numerous complaints have been made to the Margao police by local citizens to crack a whip against anti-socials frequenting the place, but in vain.
A suggestion made to the authorities to restrict the timing of visitors to the hillock and also erect ornamental gates at the entry and exit points have also fallen on deaf ears.
Margao Municipal Council ward councillor Glen Andrade conceded that the entire area, right from the Hospicio steps to Monte hill, need a face lift keeping in mind the heritage and aesthetics of the area. "The TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai has been briefed on the ground reality. I am confident that the TCP Minister will direct the officials to set up a mechanism in place for the maintenance of the area. The entire area is in need of a spruce-up," he said.
Incidentally, while the government has roped in a Spanish consultant to restore the heritage area of the Old market as part of TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai's restoration plan, the Monte Hill area, including the steps leading to the hillock, are lying in a state of utter neglect.
Who's responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the heritage Monte Hill area, especially the steps leading to the Chapel on the hillock via Hospicio? The hillock is fast turning out to be a favourite den for anti-socials.
Looking at the sorry state of the hillock, it appears that it is neglected probably for the sole reason that it falls in a no man's land with hardly any voters around.
It's not just the green cover atop the hillock that has come under threat from builders, the very aesthetics and the beauty around the picturesque Monte Hill, including the Hospicio steps leading to the Chapel, have been craving for attention from the powers that be and the local
authorities.
Otherwise, consider this: Just a drive on the road from the TB hospital end to the Chapel and further down reveals that the place is being frequented by anti-socials. Empty liquor and beer bottles strewn all along the road is a grim reminder that all's not well atop the isolated hillock.
Waste and litter along the road passing by the Chapel indicates that the local civic body has not bothered to lift the waste for quite for a considerable time. In fact, waste has been found dumped along the entire road stretch, right from the TB hospital end down to the Hospicio steps.
The steps leading to Monte Hill Chapel from Hospicio is another typical case of neglect by the authorities. Renovated under the MPLAD scheme of former MP Francisco Sardinha, the entire place is craving for attention.
A visit to the area revealed a disturbing scenario. Broken benches welcomed visitors, while stray dogs have made the area their home. The damaged and broken ornamental lamps bear testimony to the fact that the area is hit by neglect and apathy. Inquiries revealed that these lamps have been lying in a state of neglect for over half a decade now for want of maintenance.
One can find cigarette butts strewn around the broken benches. These indicate that the steps and the entire area, which was developed to infuse life and make it a happening place, are frequented by anti-socials. Numerous complaints have been made to the Margao police by local citizens to crack a whip against anti-socials frequenting the place, but in vain.
A suggestion made to the authorities to restrict the timing of visitors to the hillock and also erect ornamental gates at the entry and exit points have also fallen on deaf ears.
Margao Municipal Council ward councillor Glen Andrade conceded that the entire area, right from the Hospicio steps to Monte hill, need a face lift keeping in mind the heritage and aesthetics of the area. "The TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai has been briefed on the ground reality. I am confident that the TCP Minister will direct the officials to set up a mechanism in place for the maintenance of the area. The entire area is in need of a spruce-up," he said.
Incidentally, while the government has roped in a Spanish consultant to restore the heritage area of the Old market as part of TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai's restoration plan, the Monte Hill area, including the steps leading to the hillock, are lying in a state of utter neglect.
