The children’s park at Caranzalem is one of the perfect hangout spots not only for the children but even families and elderly citizens since its inception. However, lack of maintenance and proper facilities has always been a major issue and concern of the people, who visit the park on daily basis.
When Herald spoke to citizens living in Caranzalem, Taleigao and Dona Paula they had to say this. “It’s been quite a long time that the park is lying in a sorry state and no proper maintenance and lack of facilities has forced their families and children to avoid using this park. Also ongoing works of the Miramar-Dona Paula road has led to closure of access leading to the park”.
When Team Herald visited the park, it was confirmed that the access leading to park has completely been closed due to the ongoing works of the new concretised Miramar- Dona Paula road, thus causing inconvenience not only to the children, but elderly citizens too, who were using this park for their evening walk.
The visit also highlighted the sorry state of equipments at the park. Herald team witnessed broken slides, damaged sea-saws, rusted climbing frames and broken/missing swings, which are almost off the hinges and also pose a danger and threat to the children playing and using those equipments.
“If the concerned authorities are not in a position to maintain the park, then why did they construct it and waste people’s funds?” wonders Anirudha Bhaje.
According to Darshan Sardesai, a local resident of Caranzalem, “children are not the only ones who suffer, even senior citizens who come for the evening walk suffer equally. The ongoing work on the concrete road makes it more difficult for accessing the park.”
“I have stopped my children from visiting the park and using the various equipments at the park, as they pose a major threat due the rusted climbing frames and sharp edges of the broken slides,” said Shanta Kenny.
Sources told Herald, during the night time, the sitting area at the park, is used by miscreants for consuming alcohol. “The state government s should install CCTV cameras to monitor such unlawful practices.
“The park is neglected for the past three years, with previous the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) panel mentioning the lack of funds is hampering the maintenance works,” said Ramkrishna Khandeparkar Desai.
It was also revealed by local residents that the extension work of the garden has also come to a halt due to financial issues. If the CCP doesn’t have the funds, then what is the need to come up with such projects if the authorities are not in a position to maintain such parks, they questioned.
“We are in process of floating a tender shortly, in which the park will be restored, by changing the play equipments, high mast lights and footpath lights. The CCP will also be shortly having a meeting with MLA Atanasio Monserrate, to discuss the necessary development,” said Surendra Furtado, Mayor, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
