One often finds shoppers to the SGPDA market complaining of inadequate parking space in the mega market complex.
The congestion in the market complex is especially true during the weekends and holidays. But, that has not spurred the PDA authorities to develop the huge vacant space in front of the SGPDA building and the land acquired for the proposed pick-up stand for vehicular parking.
Successive governments have failed to develop the large vacant space admeasuring around 20,000 sq mts which could have solved the parking woes of shoppers and vendors.
When Herald contacted SGPDA Member Secretary Vinod Kumar to shed light on the delay in developing the vacant land, he was candid in admitting that financial constraints have come in the way of the development of the land in question.
“The PDA had two options – one to give the work to the PWD or to the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC). The PDA had approached the GSIDC, but we have not received a positive reply,” Kumar said.
Rough estimates show that the PDA may require funds to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore to develop the parking lot. But, with the PDA dependent on the exhibitions cum sales for revenue to pay the staff salaries, source rule out funding of the parking lot project departmentally.
“The SGPDA staff salaries works out to Rs 8-9 lakh a month, while the revenue generation from clearance of files is pegged at only Rs 2-3 lakh,” said an official.
Sources, however, admitted that the vacant land once developed, will create space for around 500 four-wheelers and 400 two-wheelers with provision for landscaping and for exhibitions.
