Amusement projects accorded top priority, civic issues take a backseat

NASHIK: The recent decision of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)-ruled Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to hand over Goda Park along the Godavari to a private company for its development and upkeep is another sign of flawed priorities of the city's guardians. By according priority to this project, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has virtually joined the Bhujbal clan, which is also interested in pushing another amusement project at the same river.The moves only go to show that the leaders are least interested in more serious issues.
Nashik district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is also the minister for public works and tourism, and his nephew Sameer, who is the Nashik Lok Sabha member, have focused on creating a boat club in the waters of the Godavari at Gangapur dam. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation is promoting the boat club project, which, according to Sameer, will be completed before Diwali.
The deadline for completion of the project has been set even before the environmental impact assessment by the Union ministry for environment and forests, as the water body is home to birds and is a crucial oasis in a jungle of concrete.
The planned Boat Club and Water Sports Centre will offer amusement activities like speed-boats, water scooters, paragliding, musical fountain, pavilion, a view of the region, restaurants, garden, amphitheatre, garden, landscaping, children park and an amusement park.
Likewise, the Goda Park will include laser shows, boating activity, monorail, parks for children and senior citizens, water sports, jogging track, health club, garden, landscaping and musical fountains. It will be spread out on both the banks of the river - 13.5 km along the east and 8 km along the west. The project will require land acquisition and some clearances.
The NMC's decision has come at a time when there are issues like pollution in the Godavari, shortfall in processing sewage, problems in collection and disposal of garbage and pathetic condition of roads. The most glaring is the Godavari pollution, which continues unabated with the NMC being one of the major polluters as it releases untreated sewage into the river.
Several cases have been filed against the NMC on the river pollution following court orders and the civic body has set up signboards at the Godavari, warning visiting pilgrims that the water in the river is unfit for drinking as well as bathing. However, enthusiastic pilgrims continue to take holy dips in the river and carry the water home. Despite warnings, local citizens continue to wash clothes and vehicles in the river, besides dumping 'nirmalya' into the water.
The Goda Park project had been initiated about a decade ago by Raj Thackeray when he was with the Shiv Sena that ruled the NMC then. After he broke away from the Sena to form the MNS, the Sena-BJP alliance, still ruling the NMC, ignored the incomplete project. In the run-up to the 2012 civic polls, the MNS released its manifesto that included creation of footpaths, toilets for women and submitting accounts every six months to bring in transparency in the NMC's expenses. However, more than 18 months after wresting power from the Sena, the MNS is yet to fulfil its promises.
The boat club project, mooted by the Bhujbals, may get clearances and see brisk business during the coming Kumbh. Likewise, the Goda Park may add some colour and amusement. The fact, however, remains that it would just be a cosmetic exercise that would fail to pleases the citizens who are concerned about primary issues.