The arrow-shaped garden that was built by the Portuguese that displays the artistic touch of the artisans who designed and crafted stones in a deft formation, today seem to be neglected and in need of attention.
Portuguese era deserves to be preserved and maintained.
The garden near Customs and Central Excise Department in Panjim city was built for those who chose to relax in the city, specially the older folks. The artistically-designed benches facing the river, provided by Camara Municipal de Goa, which is now Corporation City of Panaji, was a favourite among those that chose to enjoy the river-front view.
But today things are very much different. There is dirt everywhere with grass and weeds growing all over. There is no illumination, except for the lone electric pole with two lamps, which sometimes do not function.
Bundles of waste and BSNL telephone cables with distribution boxes are mostly seen hanging, with an advertisement board and garbage strewn all around. Two-wheeler owners too park at the nearby area that is fully covered by trees. A year later, things have changed for the worse. I have pictures of what the place was a year ago and its sad to see not much efforts are being made to preserve the garden area. The garden now has signboards and advertisement boards of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and ‘Keep City Clean And Green’ by Corporation City of Panaji itself , while some broken parts of Portuguese statue has been thrown behind.
A dug-up portion in the middle with cement concrete foundation is seen probably for the erection of another advertising display or publicity board.
If this continues, the area will be spoiled due to total neglect. Also, the installation of a dangerous 1100 volts power transformer by the electricity department partially seen with two-wheelers still parked behind is not only risky, but also spoiling the beauty of the area.Our CCP surveyors, reputed historians and environmentalist are requested to take part with all zeal in digging more valuable findings of this garden which is losing its identity and beauty.
I urge the government to remove the publicity board and beautify the garden to give it an attractive look to create a good impression of Panjim and Goa.
