VASCO
Residents in and around Baina on Saturday demanded the immediate restoration of the walking track developed as a part of a beautification project by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) at Baina beach some years ago.
While the stretch of the beach developed by GTDC had become an attraction among locals who would frequently visit the area, the walking track is now in dilapidated condition.
While the lamp posts are not functional, the sides of the track are full of overgrown vegetation. The granite seating arrangements are broken and seats have been stolen by miscreants. At some places, the wires at the lamp posts are exposed and pose a threat.
Residents have now requested the GTDC to restore the place and keep a watchman to ensure that people don’t misuse the public facility.
Social worker Riyaz Kadri said the government had taken up beautification along the beach and had offered the facility to the people.
“Today, the benches are damaged and many things are stolen. This was built at public cost and it is the responsibility of people to maintain the facilities and we can’t keep blaming the government all the time.”
“We request the GTDC to redevelop the area, trim vegetation, repair benches and lights so that families can return to this walking track. The GTDC can also appoint a security or an agency for the maintenance of this place,” said Kadri.
When contacted, BJP State Executive member Jayant Jadhav informed The Goan that the GTDC can develop the project and hand it over to Mormugao Municipal Council for maintenance. “The red-light area was cleared from Baina beach in 2004 and later, GTDC took up beautification of the beach,” said Jadhav.
“The place is so dilapidated and I wonder what is the use if people themselves mismanage the facility. While GTDC did the beautification, maintenance was never taken up.”
“They (GTDC) should either have maintained the project or should have written to the MMC to maintain it. I request the GTDC to redevelop the area and maintain it directly or indirectly and I appeal to people not to misuse the facility,” said Jadhav.
