ANIL KUMAR MISHRA
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PANJIM: In a disheartening turn of events, the ambitious ‘Beautification of Beachfront Promenade at Miramar’ project, launched just three years ago, has fallen into a state of neglect that starkly contrasts its initial promise.
Inaugurated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and funded under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and executed by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), the Rs 12-crore initiative was intended to enhance the beach experience for both locals and tourists, boasting facilities such as a children’s park, public gymnasium, and scenic walkways. However, the reality today paints a grim picture of deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate maintenance, particularly in the children’s park, which has become a cause for concern among parents and
visitors alike.
Broken garden benches, dilapidated swings, antiquated slides, and poorly maintained play equipment are in a state of disrepair, reflecting the lack of concern the civic authorities have for the children and their parents who frequently visit this idyllic play area by the beach. Moreover, the beach attracts
numerous domestic and international tourists.
When the O Heraldo team visited, it found broken benches, worn-out children’s play equipment, including a swinging climber, and rusty slides.
Sameer Parab, who had come to the beach with his two children, expressed his concerns, stating that it is very risky to bring children here as they may injure themselves while playing.
Ananth Ramakrishnan, a tourist from Chennai, remarked, “We had heard a lot about Miramar, but we felt disappointed to see its condition. The park is not maintained properly. How can children play here?”
However, the children’s park at Miramar is not the only park in a state of neglect. One km away towards Dona Paula lies Caranzalem Park, which was once well-maintained. This park, located by the seashore, featured a well-organised layout of swings, slides, and open-air gyms, offering an excellent view of the beach and beautiful architecture with well-arranged pillars. It provided a peaceful recreational space for both children and the elderly.
Now, in stark contrast to its former glory, the park is in complete disrepair, with children’s play equipment broken and strewn across the ground.
A college student, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his disappointment at the park’s condition, which he has visited since childhood. He said, “I have been playing here since childhood. It used to be so green, but now the trees have vanished. You can see that half of the grass in the garden has not been cut. There used to be at least five people to look after the garden, but now only one person is left. There is no watchman, the gate has disappeared, and so have the lights.”
Meanwhile, speaking to O Heraldo, former Mayor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and current councilor Uday Madkaikar stated, “Miramar Park was developed by IPSCDL and is still being maintained by them. It was supposed to be handed over to the CCP but that has not happened.”
“I have previously mentioned that the materials used in the construction are of inferior quality. Furthermore, the park is not being maintained properly. This is a significant issue with the Smart City initiative. Additionally, the flooring at the entrance of the beach has deteriorated; it could not last even six months after being constructed,”
he added.
