Team Herald
PONDA: What was once a bustling playground in Kavalem, filled with the sounds of children playing and residents enjoying evening walks, has now become a disturbing hotspot for liquor parties. The village has raised alarm over the growing menace of broken bottles, drunken gatherings, and noise pollution from loud music, which have turned the space into an unsavoury eyesore.
The playground, previously known for hosting cricket and football games, now lies littered with shards of glass and discarded liquor bottles, making it unsafe for children and athletes. Local women, who once used the area for walks, have also been driven away by the dangerous litter, with broken glass even scattered across the cricket pitch.
The situation has worsened with parties happening both during the day and late into the night, often with multiple cars parked on the ground. Noise from these gatherings has added to the disturbance, frustrating nearby residents.
In response, the villagers took matters into their own hands. On October 2, villagers of Kavalem, led by panchayat members, launched a Swachh Bharat drive to clean up the mess. Heaps of glass bottles were collected, and the villagers have pledged to file a formal complaint with the police.
Senior citizen Sanjay Dhavlikar, BMC member Nandan Naik, and local youths were among those who joined the cleanup effort. Panch members Yogesh Kavlekar, Survesh Amonkar, and Vithoba Gaude strongly condemned the nuisance, demanding police intervention to prevent serious incidents.
Residents worry not just about the litter but also the threat posed to young athletes, as broken glass and vehicles driving over the playground could lead to injuries. Despite the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope: a local scrapyard dealer collects the bottles twice a week, helping reduce the accumulation.
The village is determined to reclaim the open space for its rightful use, urging police to take swift action against the unruly gatherings and restore the playground for future generations.