Bicholim playground in sorry state

BICHOLIM, NOV 8
Residents from Sanquelim-Bicholim have expressed displeasure over pathetic condition of the lone playground in the city.
It may be stated that Sanquelim has only one playground located behind the bus stand. The ground is used by the football players and even some Cricket matches are organised. The ground is also used by the schools from Sanquelim.
Despite these facts, residents have claimed that Sanquelim Municipal Council or the government has not taken any steps to maintain it.
According to sources, the ground is totally covered with tall grass and weeds have grown on it. There are also some trees which are coming up on the ground. Besides, several ponds have formed due to rains, which serve as free lakes for buffaloes.
When this scribe went to the site, buffaloes were seen grazing on the ground, while some were in the pond.
Sanquelim being flood-prone area, water enters low-lying areas, including the football ground at Sanquelim. To add to this, last year the SMC had removed the retaining wall near the ground, which further worsened the situation and it created water-logged situation in the area.
“It was a wrong decision of the SMC to remove the age-old retaining wall. The only solution for this is land filling so that the local youths could utilise it,” a resident from Sanquelim told Herald on the condition of anonymity.