VASCO: The Chairperson of Mormugao Municipal Council Deepak Naik on Monday threatened to stop the ongoing work of Baina beautification undertaken by GTDC if the traditional step access to the Baina beach is not restored.
According to Naik, he have been receiving numerous complaint from the citizens about the difficulties faced by them while visiting Baina beach which is being developed and beautified by the GTDC. He said that while undertaking the beautification work of the beach, GTDC demolished the traditional access to the beach which was having steps and in place of steps, GTDC have constructed concrete slopes, leaving citizens to experience severe hardships while visiting the beach area.
“Firstly I want to stress that after a lot of effort by the local and state administration, Baina beach will finally regain its lost glory with locals and tourists visiting this beach again. Now over the last few weeks, I have receiving complaints from residents practically every day about the kind of hardships faced by them while visiting the Baina area.
According to the residents , before implementation of the Baina beach beautification project, people used to walk down the traditional concrete steps to visit the beach, however after GTDC started beautification project they demolished the steps but failed to build a new one” Naik said.
He further added “We are not against the development of Baina beach by GTDC but we are not happy with the way GTDC have constructed concrete slope with stones pressed into the concrete. There is no sign of restoring traditional access. Though the GTDC have created another access to the beach from the other side, people are not willing to use it. They have been using this concrete slopes to enter or exit Baina beach. Many have even complained of getting hurt while using the slopes and would like the GTDC to restore the traditional access. Considering the demands by the locals, MMC have decided to ask GTDC to restore the traditional access. They should make alterations in their beach beautification plan, failing which MMC will be forced to issue a stop work order to the ongoing works. we might even not issue any further NOC for the second phase of development/beautification works if this issue is not resolved”
