Team Herald
MARGAO: The Opinion Poll Square, now increasingly being dubbed as the ‘Campal of Fatorda’ that has been hogging the limelight as of late is also in the news for other reasons, such as deputing special team of policemen to ‘guard’ the site.
In fact, if you pass the Ravindra Bhavan area, one can see police patrolling and guarding the Opinion Poll Square to avoid vandalism of the 36 photos of opinion poll leaders installed there and to also prevent anti-social elements from misusing the area to drink, smoke and do drugs.
Ironically, the police who sit guarding the area fail to keep check on the traffic flow, illegal parking and other activities along the square, which is being built for people to sit, relax and enjoy their evening.
Other big announcements and work in progress or yet to commence include the Fatorda-Arlem four laning in progress, realignment of the Fatorda stadium walking track (yet to commence), the cycling velodrome work yet to commence, redesigning and replacing the broken pavers at Ravindra Bhavan with hotmix, renovation and restoration of the Old Market complex and old municipality (yet to be done) and acquired and a special arch at the entrance of Margao city designed but yet to be tendered.
But the local MLA and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai seems to be content and wants to turn Opinion Poll Square to become the ‘Campal of Fatorda.’
“Opinion Poll Square will be like a family recreation place or for the senior citizens to make it the Campal of Fatorda. After having a cross-section of opinions from the people of Fatorda we have come to a conclusion that we won’t allow any eateries as it will create litter and indisciplined parking,” Vijay said.
About the commemorative plaques of the opinion poll stalwarts we plan to add some more who we may have omitted. There is opinion which has been spoken of how long will the plaques be protected and there is a school of thought where there may be one big monument where all the photos of the stalwarts will be erected and will be given one single protection instead of scattered area to look at, he said.
“We are in the process to form Urban Arts Commission under TCP so that the streetscapes of Goa are developed and our heritage architecture that stands Goenkarponn is exhibited and we will do it in the course of this year,“ he added.
