MARGAO: It appears that the authorities concerned are in no mood to repair the footpaths which are in a pathetic condition in the State’s commercial capital. These footpaths have turned out to be unsafe for pedestrians, especially school students in Margao.
Interestingly, even the councillors have complained that the pavers are in a deteriorating condition at several places, causing inconvenience to pedestrians.
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However, Margao Municipal Council chairperson Damodar Shirodkar informed that engineers have been instructed to include the cost in the estimates of the other development works in the town.
Complaining about the hardships faced by the pedestrians, Savio D’Souza, a regular visitor to Margao told O Heraldo that the conditions in the commercial capital resemble that of Panjim, which has gone from bad to worse.
“As per the orders of the Supreme Court of India, the rights of pedestrians are utmost important. Shockingly, pedestrians visiting Margao have to undergo hardships due to the pathetic conditions of the footpaths,” he said.
Taking serious note of the issue, O Heraldo visited some of the areas wherein it was revealed that interlocking pavers have given way forcing pedestrians to walk on the roads thereby risking their lives.
These areas where the footpaths are in a pathetic state include the ones near Naz hotel, near Old Collectorate building, around Grace Church area, opposite the South Goa Police Headquarters, etc. The broken pavers of the footpath opposite police headquarters have compelled students of Loyola High School and Fatima Convent High School to tread a cautious path.
Expressing frustration over the pathetic condition of the footpath in his ward, Councillor Mahesh Amonkar said, “I have already informed the chairperson about the same and demanded that the footpath be repaired immediately.”
Admitting that footpaths at various places are not fit for the pedestrians to walk, MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar told O Heraldo that he will initiate the process to start the repair works of the footpath at the earliest.
“Yes, I have noticed that the pavers of the footpath are broken. The broken interlocking bricks have made the footpaths dangerous to walk on. I have instructed the engineers concerned to include the cost of repair of footpaths in the estimate of development works,” he added.
