Team Herald
MARGAO: Envisioned as a peaceful retreat for locals during the Portuguese era, the Margao Municipal gardens have fallen into disrepair, now plagued by illegal activities, including drug peddling and prostitution. Residents report feeling unsafe, and the gardens have become largely deserted, particularly after dark.
Locals have raised concerns over the persistent presence of drug dealers and pimps, who have turned the gardens into contact points for their illicit activities. What was once a family-friendly space filled with picnickers has deteriorated, leaving citizens wary of visiting. During the day, the garden sees a mix of beggars, vagrants and petty thieves. It also doubles as a changing room for labourers, further contributing to its decline.
“There used to be families from Margao and nearby villages who would come here to relax, but now the gardens are mostly occupied by migrants. Locals rarely visit anymore,” said Rupesh Naik, a Margao resident. Many blame the lack of adequate policing and preventive measures for allowing these activities to flourish.
The gardens, divided into two sections managed separately by the municipality and the Forest Department, are frequently the site of drug-related activities, particularly involving ganja. Despite occasional police interventions and arrests, these problems persist, and residents feel that more robust and consistent efforts are needed to restore order.
Former MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho expressed frustration over the state of the gardens: “It’s disheartening to see the neglect. You find waste and scrap dumped all over, with beer bottles littering the area behind the benches. Taxpayers are footing the bill for security personnel, but the gardens remain in a miserable state.”
MMC councillor Mahesh Amonkar acknowledged the issue, noting that despite the presence of security guards, there is a lack of effective control over the gardens. He emphasised the need for special attention to restore the space to its original purpose as a safe and welcoming public park for the community.
Residents hope that local authorities will take swift action to clean up the gardens and reclaim them for public use, addressing both the visible waste and the troubling rise in criminal activities.