PANJIM: Nuisance created by miscreants, anti-social elements, illegal parking and stray dog menace have become a common sight along the walkway-cum-cycle track at the Mandovi riverfront at Campal in Panjim.
It is pertinent to note that the State government is currently constructing a 2.5-kilometre long walkway- cum-cycle track from Miramar beach to Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) complex at an estimated cost of Rs 48 crore under the Smart City Mission.
In phase one, a 900-metre stretch between Youth Hostel and Kala Academy has been completed, and is being used by the people particularly the residents of Panjim. But miscreants and anti-social elements are now taking over the space as a result of which people are now discouraged from using the walkway.
Some of the streetlights on the walkway are non-functional hence these miscreants take advantage. They eat, drink and throw trash including liquor bottles and beer cans along the walkway-cycle track despite numerous dustbins placed in the area. These miscreants and anti-social elements ride their bikes on the walkway as well as on the cycle track.
Assistant Professor of the Department of Hindi at Goa University Aditya Sinai Bhangui, who goes for morning walks on the walkway, said that every day he sees people drinking openly and riding bikes on the walkway.
“Daily at around 5.30 am, I find people drinking beer and alcohol and some riding their bikes rashly on the walkway. Most of them are casinos staffers, while some are locals. People are disturbed by that as there is no control over such activities,” Bhangui said.
He said that the local police should intensify patrolling in the area and take required action so as to give a sense of security to the regular walkway users.
“I have stopped using the cycle track long back as I find it dangerous. You can see beer bottles and other trash thrown and also dry branches of trees fallen on the track. It is unsafe for cyclists and I don’t totally blame the authorities as a section of people who lack civic sense are creating nuisance there,” Yash Kushwaha, a cycling enthusiast said.
Pointing out that the two-metre wide cycle track is occupied by bikes which are parked illegally leaving little or no space for cyclists, Kushwaha urged the authorities to consider installing small barriers on both side of the cycle track to stop bikers from entering the track and to ensure that cyclists have seamless experience on the track.
Street dog menace in the area is also creating hindrance to the people, said Reshma Naik, a Panjim city resident.
“We all love dogs but that doesn’t mean we should feed them anywhere and everywhere. People are feeding dogs on the walkway. These dogs are aggressive and we fear they may attack us, elders can tackle them but not children,” Naik said.
She said that people feeding these dogs should either adopt them or take them in dogs’ shelter run by NGOs.
She further opined that there should be designated feeding zones for stray dogs.
Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) Commissioner Clen Madeira said that his office has written to Panjim police requesting them to take action against the miscreants who are creating nuisance.
“We have requested the police to take action in this matter. CCP workers are regularly cleaning the walkway area and we will ensure that the cleanliness is maintained,” he said.
Panjim Police Inspector Nikhil Palekar said that the police patrol will be stepped up in the area and if anyone is found drinking in the open or creating nuisance will be booked.
North Superintendent of Police Nidin Valsan tweeted, “We have received a complaint about unsafe activities taking place on the promenade, including drinking, smoking. We take these concerns seriously and have deployed a police officer to monitor the area. We urge all visitors to be respectful of the rules and law.”
Replying to the tweet, CCP Councillor Vasant Agshikar said, “This has been happening quite often. Regular walkers and families eschew from visiting this promenade due to such elements, who drink alcohol and dump broken bottles there. Kindly send your patrols often.”
