The inauguration of a walking track at Bicholim has laid responsibility over the authorities and the public in general to keep the area clean and maintain the tracks. The walking track which was ready months ago was awaiting inauguration and finally was thrown open recently.
The Rs 2.5 crore worth project has been built over the earlier retaining bandh which was constructed to hold back the water from entering the town during the monsoon. The length of the track is about 1.5 kms. “The project was in line with another project that we had seen at Gujarat. It is built near the river side there by giving it a beautiful look,” Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar said. But, what has worried most Bicholkars is the maintenance of the project. “Most of the time projects are made and there is no one to look after them and they get damaged,” Mandrekar said. Bicholim Municipal Council chairman Satish Gaonkar also stressed on the need to protect the walking track. “There was a need for such project in Bicholim and people will have good health only if they walk. BMC can maintain this project if the government sanctions funds for us. The desilting of the river is also needed and it should be done every five years,” he stated. Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal was also concerned with the maintenance and urged the people to support the authorities so that this structure remains intact. “We urge the people to keep the area clean and not to come with dogs on the track as the track is for people to walk and not for animals,” he stated. “The authorities should try to maintain it but at the same time the people should also support them.” A resident Sameer Kolwalkar stated that the BMC should appoint a watchman in the area. “The BMC should take over the project and should appoint a watchman so that no one enters the track with beer bottles and throw them on the tracks,” Kolwalkar stated.
