Photos by Santosh Mirajkar
MMC garden fence still awaiting repairs after a tree caused the damage five months ago.
The sorry state of the solar lamps.
The garden fence occupied by unknown persons.
People taking an afternoon siesta inside the garden.
Walking track pavers awaiting repairs.
MMC Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai, councillors Damu Naik and Avinash Shirodkar with a civic official manning the garden.
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MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council garden “ a stone’s throw away from the seat of Municipal administration “ is lying in shambles. Blame it on apathy and utter neglect from the City Fathers or the Municipal administration, the spacious garden, which has been the center for recreation and leisure for people of all age groups “ is indeed craving for attention.
Otherwise, consider this: It’s now more than five months since a tree had come crashing down on the garden wall, leaving the iron and laterite fencing damaged and partly blocking the pavement.
While it had taken the civic officials more than a fortnight to tow away the tree, the fencing is still awaiting repair by the civic body. That’s not all. The garden fencing wears a shabby look for want of a fresh coat of paint and maintenance, but intervention of the civic body has not been forthcoming till date.
The northern half of the garden plays host to a walking track, but many health conscious citizens have avoided the track for want of regular maintenance.
Interestingly, the solar lamps dotting across the garden are lying defunct over the years, but neither the civic body has bothered to get the lamps repaired or rid the lamp stands from the garden.
There are complaints galore that miscreants misuse the garden. It’s not uncommon to find people sleeping around the garden fence for want of security, denying citizens the space to sit and chat.
AntiÂ-social activities on the southern half of the garden facing the Municipal building have not stopped till date. While the Municipal security has been found wanting in cracking a whip on anti-social activity, the men-in-khaki have also failed to make its presence felt around the garden.
Grandiose plans to set up a Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani park on the garden’s northern half as a center for recreation for the elderly senior citizens and grand children have failed to take off till date.
While the northern half “ which plays host to children’s play and amusement items ÂÂÂ is primarily meant for the tiny tots and their guardians, it’s not uncommon to find miscreants on the prowl around. Plans to earmark the garden’s northern half exclusively for the children and their guardians have not yet changed the ground reality.
Says a senior citizen, Agnelo Mascarenhas: “The Margao Municipality should restore the past glory of the garden. It is indeed sad that unlike other cities, there’s no exclusive recreation center for the children and senior citizens in the garden. We often find adults using the play items meant for the children. Today, citizens tend to avoid the garden when they find miscreants loitering and sleeping around. All this takes place right under the nose of the Municipal authorities."
RecentlyÂ, elected Margao Municipal Chairperson Dr Babita Angle Prabhudesai says the garden is indeed craving for attention. “After assuming office, the first thing I did was to call for the file since I was told that the civic body had outsourced maintenance of the garden to a private agency. I had since held talks with the proprietor of Ms MultiÂpurpose Industrial Services Armando Fernandes with a direction to spruce up the garden on utmost priority," Babita said.
The Municipal chairperson along with ward councillor Damu Naik and Avinash Shirodkar on Thursday inspected the garden to take stock of the situation. “I have spoken to the Forest Minister with a plea to take up beautification of the garden. The Minister has told me to come with a proposal for the beautification. The matter will be discussed at the next Council meeting," she said.
Proprietor of Ms Multipurpose Industrial Services, Armando Fernandes said the garden fencing will soon receive a fresh coat of paint. “We have prepared estimates for the repairs and maintenance of the garden. Work will be executed within the next one month," he added.
