Team Herald
MAPUSA: The renovated Ram Manohar Lohia Garden at Mapusa, which was renovated a year ago, is lying in shambles with the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) turning a blind eye towards its maintenance.
Rs 3 crore were spent on the renovation and beautification of this garden, which comprises of Mexican lawn, palm trees, fountain, benches, electrical garden lamps, toilet block etc. The work was completed on April 10, 2017 and the garden was thrown open to the people of Mapusa. During the initial one year, the garden was maintained by Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA).
It appears that the MMC is struggling to maintain the open spaces developed by it in the town. There are barely five to six gardens in Mapusa jurisdiction. It is pertinent to note that the the Ram Manohar Lohia Garden in the town too is in a bad shape with a dirty toilet block, damaged tiles, dismantled bench, strewn plastic bottles, stagnant water behind the stage etc.
Residents and others visiting this garden questioned the logic behind spending huge money on the garden by the concerned authorities.
The MMC garden committee is in-charge of developing and maintaining parks and gardens in the town. It pertinent to note that there is provision of Rs 1 crore for maintaining and repairing the gardens in Mapusa.
Chairman of the Garden Committee, Dipti Lanjekar said she has just taken charge and was not aware about the sorry state of the gardens in Mapusa.
She said the committee she was part of was supposed to look after the maintenance and repair works of the gardens.
“Due to the rains I am not aware how often maintenance work is being carried out in these gardens,” Dipti informed.
Councillor and former chairman of the Garden Committee, Sanjay Mishal explained that every year a provision of Rs 1 crore is made in the budget for the repair and renovation work of the municipal gardens in Mapusa.
“It is the duty of the MMC to clean the gardens on a daily basis. I will bring the issue of the bad state of the Ram Manohar Lohia Garden to the MMC’s notice,” he added.
The inauguration of this facility was done by former Mapusa Municipal Council chairperson Sandeep Falari.
He had informed that the town will have over 20 additional gardens.
The MMC plans to undertake development of open spaces in the town and convert them into gardens.
Councillor, Franky Carvalho said, “During the first year this garden was maintained by GSUDA and now the MMC is looking after its maintenance and repairs.”
He assured to bring the issue to the notice of the Ryan Braganza, MMC Chairperson.
