Tapi walkway now popular hangout for lovebirds and anti-social elements

SURAT: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) spent Rs3 crore on the construction of 3-kilometre long heritage walkway along Tapi river embankment from Navadi Ovara to Athwalines for residents to enjoy cool breeze, perform exercise and also walk. However, the walkway has become an ‘adda’ for anti-social elements during night hours and lovebirds’ like to hangout here during daytime.

Narendra Upadhyay, a retired teacher living in Athwalines, said, “There is an access point to the walkway from Chowpaty Garden. Earlier, I used to stroll on the walkway in the morning hours, but would get disturbed with young couples making love in the open. I have now stopped visiting the walkway.”

Advocate Illyas Patel told TOI, “The district court is located close to the walkway. When we peep out from the windows of the court building, we could see rows of young couples sitting on the walkway and openly indulging in love making. At times, they even go into the bushes. This spot has literally become notorious for lovers and anti-social elements. The administration should do something about this.”

In the recent past, questions have been raised in the district coordination meeting by Majura Gate MLA, Harsh Sangahvi regarding cleanliness, proper maintenance and installation of street lights on the walkway. Sources informed that street lights have been installed here, but only a few are working. Families are scared to venture out in the night hours on the walkway.

Ashish Vakil, a volunteer of Nature Club Surat (NCS), said, “A group of young volunteers are taking care of saplings and watering the trees and plants on the walkway every morning. But, we have been witnessing burning of garbage and dried leaves by some elements, which is affecting the saplings. Youngsters visiting the walkway throw cigarette butts and match sticks and this could be causing fire.”

Vakil added, “Walkway is not only the adda for lovers and anti-social elements, but the youngsters are using it for stunt biking during evening hours. They ride their bikes at full speed on the walkway and perform stunts.”