Team Herald
PANJIM: As a part of its vigilance week exercise, GOACAN inspected the most-frequented stretch along the Miramar-Caranzalem to find that the benches are in a dilapidated condition and the surrounding is unclean.
In a letter to the Additional Collector-I Vikas Gaunekar Additional Collector -1, GOACAN has pointed out that these benches, mostly used by senior citizens during their morning and evening walk, be immediately replaced to avoid any harm to the visitors.
A team of Consumer Forum representatives carried out the inspection after complaints from the citizens over the poor condition of the benches and dirty walking stretch.
“Consumer Forum representatives Owen Braganza, Camil Pinto, Celes Fernandes and Eudes D’Souza in their inspection found that these benches have cemented bits fallen of, protruding iron rods, shaky base support whereas in one case the bench is placed on two stones.
They also found the area has not been cleaned, the parapet not painted and large amount of sand found on the pavement making it difficult for visitors to walk. It was evident no supervision of the area either on a daily or weekly basis is conducted,” GOACAN Co-ordinator Roland Martins told the media.
The NGO also requested the Additional Collector to take up with Tourism Department and the City Corporation the related issues, identify spots for additional benches to cater to the senior citizens and others visiting the beach, painting of the parapet and other structures in the children’s play area, removal of the sand from the pavement, fixing appropriate signage with do’s & don’ts and a helpline number/email to provide feedback to concerned department, and fixing the responsibility for cleaning the area on a daily basis as well as for supervision.
GOACAN is observing vigilance week wherein its volunteers are examining complaints about deficiency in service across various government departments.
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Miramar beach front to be beautified
The beautification of beach front promenade at Miramar and development of steps near Portuguese Consulate at Altinho as well as the Panjim Church Square will soon be taken up by the Imagine Panjim Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) as it has invited bids from eligible contractors on Thursday.
A tender issued by this government-designated agency has set a deadline of November 15 to apply for the bids. The technical bids will open on November 16 followed by other procedures to finales the bidder. Details on the IPSCDL website, the estimated cost of the first project is calculated at Rs 11.75 crore approx while the second project is estimated at Rs 1.13 crore approx. The time for completion of the two projects is set at 12 months and six months respectively including monsoon season. The Imagine Panjim is also set to undertake major renovation work of the Dona Paula jetty, portion of which will be closed for public access from November 5. The District Collector’s order comes after the agency during a structure audit found that the jetty was unsafe and could result into potential untoward incident.
It had also proposed to re develop the jetty under smart city mission by appointing an international consultant who has expertise in undertaking jetties and marinas projects.
