BY AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
Twenty years ago and even before, the beach stretch along the Children’s Park in Campal served as an open toilet for all working in the Panjim market.
The scenario has changed now with the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited developing the area into a promenade. The Mandovi River promenade which is scheduled to be ready by mid-July spans 2.5 kilometres starting from Miramar beach till the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).
“We could never walk on the shore as there was either human poop around or people could be seen relieving themselves and later washing themselves in seawater. Now that the promenade is being built, it is beautiful,” observed Melba Fernandes, who strolls on the promenade when time permits.
“By building the promenade, we have a permanent structure for the coastline defined. Rupees 12 crores were spent on the first phase that is ready and Rs 33 crore are for the second phase which has been scheduled to be completed by mid-July,” disclosed a Smart City spokesperson.
“The main purpose of the promenade is to have a four-meter walking track and a one and half meter cycling track running parallel to the walking track. The sea wall that has been created is to protect the place from erosion,” added the spokesperson.
“Once the project is ready, it will either be handed over to CCP for maintenance or a revenue model will be worked out to keep the place pristine at all times,” disclosed the spokesperson.
The promenade has been designed and is being executed by GSIDC while Smart City provides the funds. “Half of the funds are provided by us whilst the State provides the other half,” confirmed the spokesperson.
“This is one of the best places to come for a walk early in the morning or at sunset. Once the full thing is ready, I expect it will be a nice place to stroll at night. It will be a cool place to come with the family for ice cream after dinner,” said Vivek as he puffed a cigarette in the company of friends at night.
Apart from a walking and cycling track, art installations are being set up in places along the promenade adding a flavour that is expected to jell with the shoreline.
“There is so much spoken negativity about Smart City but this idea is really about beautifying the place but one has to see how long this is going to last. As in most projects, the lights may stop functioning, the pavers may get dislodged making walking difficult or this place may well be taken over by unruly elements,” averred Feliciana Dias.
Yet, once ready, the Mandovi River Promenade, conceptualised by Imagine Panaji Smart City may help Panjimites take a better walk of life.