Kids march to Mapusa municipality,demand repairs of Nehru Park
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, MAY 24
Some children from Mapusa on Monday afternoon staged a protest rally from Chacha Nehru Park near post office to the office of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) demanding immediate repairs of the playing equipments in the park.
Shiv Sena delegation led by Bardez Pramukh Philip D’Souza submitted a letter to Chief Officer D M Redkar and demanded the playing equipments in the park may be repaired before monsoon.
“In case MMC is unable to maintain the park, it may be handed over to private companies or look out for the sponsors who would take up the responsibility of maintaining the park in exchange for some advertising space,” stated Shiv Sena in the letter.
The Shiv Sena has already approached some companies in this regard and if they find some sponsor, then they will direct them to MMC.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Officer Redkar admitted that some of the playing equipments in Chacha Nehru Park have broken down.
He has instructed the municipal engineer to carry out repairs of the playing equipments wherever possible. He said he would also write to the Mapusa police to take action against those who sleep in the garden.
It may be recalled that the condition of the Chacha Nehru Park has become very pathetic. The swings have broken and the slide has developed cracks on it, besides sea-saws do not have seats and the children are using the dangerous metal pieces that are left behind.
The water fountain has also become non-functional. The benches are broken and those in good condition are being used by beggars and alcoholics for resting purpose. To make matters worse, one side of the compound wall has collapsed and there is no drinking water facility in the park.
The park was inaugurated by the then Goa Governor Romesh Bhandari on November 14, 1995, but due to non-maintenance of the park by MMC the condition of the park has deteriorated over the period of time.
MMC in its meeting on June, 29, 2007 had adopted a resolution that a proposal may be sent to North Goa MP Shripad Naik to provide financial assistance through MPLAD Fund or request the Goa State Urban Development Agency to undertake repairs/reconstruction/renovation of Chacha Nehru Park in Ward No 9 at the earliest.
Since there was no follow up action on the part of MMC, the park remained unattended.
