Margao’s musical spring garden a picture of mess

MARGAO: In the midst of the bustling town of

Margao

, the once popular park which boasts of a first-of-its-kind light-and-sound show and the spring, Ana Fonte, is now a picture of neglect.



In 2006, the authorities had beautified the area, despite pressure from realty groups, with three new fountains and footbridges and rechristened it as the Ana Fonte Garden.

The then

chief minister

Pratapsinh Rane inaugurated it on January 25, 2006 amid fanfare. The event was attended by Margao MLA and then power, mines, art and culture minister Digambar Kamat, then deputy CM late Wilfred D’Souza, former Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Piedade Noronha and then chief conservator of forests A K Wahal.

Two years later, a musical fountain was inaugurated. The park’s maintenance committee Madhav S Bandodkar installed structures of animals at a corner of the park. A canteen too came up and visitors, including children, senior citizens and young couples, were happy. The musical fountain, which enthralled visitors on weekends after sundown, was a particular draw among families with young ones.

However, with time, the footfall declined, though many social organizations continued to host events on the park’s makeshift stage. The garden, maintained by the forest department, is now in a shambles with broken footbridges, posing a threat to children running around, and a defunct fountain. Also, restrooms constructed at a considerable height are inaccessible to senior citizens, pregnant women and physically challenged individuals.

Kamat, who had taken the initiative to beautify the park, told TOI the park’s land belonging to the MMC and a private individual was acquired by the forest department. “It is a prime property and the forest department should properly maintain it. I have been following up the matter with the forest department. Earlier, we used to charge a fee of Rs 500 for staging events inside the park to generate revenue for its maintenance. The musical fountain had been procured from Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 25-30 lakh. While gardens in Bengaluru charge their visitors, there was no entry fee here,” said Kamat.