The BJP government had unveiled a beautification plan for Baina Beach shortly after coming into power. Problem is the BJP won elections in 2012 and two-and-half years down the line, one BJP legislator admits that the Baina beautification plan is “still in the pipeline.”
In the absence of any plan, the truck operators have virtually taken over the Baina coast. Trucks are parked along the compound wall of MPT quarters and Ravindra Bhavan at Baina and block the parking space at Ravindra Bhavan, while truck drivers have dirtied the entire site by excreting in the open space.
When confronted with the problem, authorities and leaders have done what they do best: blame others for the mess.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had unveiled the beautification plan for Baina Beach in the presence of Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and Mormugao municipal councillors in November 2012, soon after his BJP government came to power.
Failure to implement the beautification plan has only helped truck operators. A number of trucks are parked along the compound wall of MPT quarters and Ravindra Bhavan at Baina. The vehicles also occupy much of the parking space at Ravindra Bhavan, much to the annoyance of people who visit Ravindra Bhavan for tiatrs, dramas and other functions.
What has also upset locals is the sheer disregard to cleanliness by truck drivers and their attendants. People find it difficult to walk along the beach, which has been filled with excreta and other waste.
“We feel insecure in the morning due to the presence of driver and their attendants,” said a regular morning and evening walker.
Added Felicity Furtado, who also visits the beach for her morning and evening walks: “The entire area gives a shabby look due to parking of trucks and trailers. Traffic personnel have failed to act in the matter.”
Some young boys, who go to Baina beach for jogging and yoga early in the morning, have also complained about the insensitivity of the truck drivers and their attendants.
“The entire beach stinks of human excreta and we find it difficult to conduct our yoga exercises early morning,” lamented Dayanand Gaunekar, who along with his friends visit the beach for their early morning yoga exercises.
When asked to comment on the delay in the beautification plan, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said: “The beach beautification plan is in the pipeline and the tourism department has taken up beautification of the Baina beach.”
“The State government has sought financial help from the Centre and an approval has been received. The work has also been tendered,” he said.
Responding to a general complaint regarding parking of trucks, Almeida, who is also a Mormugao councillor, blamed the Mormugao Municipal Council for failing to act in the matter.
“MMC councillors should take note of the defacement of the beach and congestion around Ravindra Bhavan. If they are not in a position to remove the trucks, the council should seek assistance of the State administration. We can provide necessary help to remove those trucks parked at the beach,” said Almeida.
“I will convene a meeting of developmental plans at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina and during that time, I will direct officers concerned to remove the trucks,” he added.
When contacted, Mormugao Councillor Nitin Chopdekar said the matter had been earlier tackled by the MMC.
“The MMC had requested the RTO to initiate action against truck operators for parking their trucks at Baina beach. Acting on the request, the RTO had stopped the truck drivers from parking their trucks at Baina Beach. The council will ask the RTO once again to stop the parking of trucks at Baina Beach,” said Chopdekar.
Speaking to Herald, Mormugao MLA and Power Minister Milind Naik said he had earlier directed the Traffic Police to act against those truck drivers parking their vehicles outside the Ravindra Bhavan Baina.
“I will direct Traffic PI Sudesh Narvekar to immediately remove all the trucks parked at Baina beach,” said Naik.
