PRATIK PARAB
The people using the dilapidated joggers track at Fatorda have some good news. The Sports Authority of Goa, with the initiative of local MLA Vijai Sardesai, has planned to replace the track with durable carpeting within two months. The SAG has also been urged to create new projects for activities like rock climbing, skating ring and Hockey Field.
Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai along with SAG, MMC and PWD officials today inspected the SAG walking track, swimming pool, multi-purpose hall and the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at Fatorda. Herald had raised the issue of the dilapidated track and the crumbling resources through the Margao page and the image of the news has been making rounds of messenger apps and social media for a couple of days.
The inspection was held in order to look into the issues of people using these facilities and their complaints. the general public were irked over the bad conditions of the walking track.
Sayyed Iftiyas, a daily walker on the track, said that the joggers track is in a dilapidated state and I don’t know what kind of raw material has been used here because it got destroyed in no time. We request the government to restore the jogging track and swimming pool soon.”
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said, “The Government is committed to give better sports facilities to the people. I will see to it that the walking track is replaced before monsoons because the present track is of low quality and is torn apart. We will replace it by something durable and long lasting. The people also need to maintain civic sense and make sure the track remains in its best state.”
“With plans of addition of activities like rock climbing and hockey field there needs to be work done in the security and facility aspect of the infrastructure.” he added.
Sports Executive Director Vasant Prabhudessai said: “There is a suggestion to shift the swimming pool to the land acquired by Sports Department nearby. In addition to that Rock climbing and also a skating ring for the upcoming skaters has been a constant demand. The Minister has taken keen interest in the work and we are confident that we will also work for the same.”
