ASHRAF KHAN
The Valpoi Municipal Council’s (VMC) air-conditioned hall at new KTC bus stand in Velus-Valpoi which was inaugurated in February is yet to be put to use. The 1000-seater hall, which was constructed by GSIDC, is yet to be put to use despite demands from Valpoi public and agitations by an NGO.
Sattari Yuva Jakrut Manch (SYJM) President Vishvesh Porob recalled their previous agitations to get authorities to effectively utilize public projects.
“The SYJM had, time and again, agitated by staging protests to demand the immediate inauguration of four public projects, the hospital, market complex, AC hall and bus stand. Unfortunately, except for the bus stand, the other three projects are not put to use till date although they were inaugurated eight months ago. The SYJM is planning to commence yet another agitation to focus the government’s attention on the grievances of people in Valpoi,” Porob said.
According to a prominent Valpoi-based businessman Sarfaras Sayed, the AC hall would have immensely benefitted people in the area.
“This was a golden opportunity for people of Valpoi and surrounding areas to use the luxury hall at an affordable cost with ample parking space. People have to go outside Valpoi in search of AC halls or open gardens for marriage ceremonies by paying exorbitant charges,” Sayed said.
“It will be difficult for the government or VMC to maintain this project if there is any further delay in putting it to use,” Sayed said.
Some residents have feared that if any project or public building is not put to use, it would encourage anti-social elements to frequent the premises.
When contacted, VMC Chairperson Ramdas Shirodkar highlighted the difficulties faced by VMC due to the unused AC hall.
“Till date, the GSIDC has not handed over this hall to VMC although eight months have passed since its inauguration. These days, there is a heavy demand for AC halls in Valpoi and surrounding areas due to the ongoing marriage season,” Shirodkar told Herald.
“It has become very difficult for VMC to simply maintain the hall without putting it to any use. For the first two months, the VMC had to shell out about Rs 80,000 on electricity bills, besides other maintenance work.”
“VMC is going through a financial crisis and it will be impossible for it to pay future power bills without putting it to any use in the near future,” Shirodkar added.
The VMC chairperson also expressed dissatisfaction with the new KTC bus stand. “The bus stand is functioning for namesake. The KTC buses use this bus stand during daytime, but in the evening, these buses are parked at Valpoi market area, leading to disruption in the smooth flow of traffic at Valpoi market area,” he said.
Shirodkar appealed to authorities to ensure the functioning of all shops and canteen at the bus stand, to encourage public to use the facilities in the area.
Asked why the GSIDC had been reluctant to hand over the hall to the VMS, Shirodkar said: “According to GSIDC, the bridge leading to the bus stand is narrow and weak. This is the main reason for the delay by GSIDC in handing over the hall to us. VMC has now written to the PWD to carry out maintenance work of the bridge and also to work out suitable plan to construct another approach road to the bus stand at Velus-Valpoi.”
Despite efforts, GSIDC officials were not free to comment in the matter.
