MARGAO: Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardessai on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the first phase of demolition and reconstruction of Margao Government Industrial Technical Institute at Borda and said the building would be ready in a year.
In the first phase a new building with basement that will be used for parking, ground and three upper floors will be constructed having a total built up area of 7,948.46 sq mts at a total cost of Rs. 24,46,35,361 and though initially proposed to be completed in 18 months, the completion period was revised to 12 months.
The basement will have parking for 25 four wheelers and 102 two wheelers and will also be able to be used for assembly or cricket practice as and when required.
Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudessai, Vice Chairperson Tito Cardoso, former Fatorda MLA and minister Luis Alex Cardoso and MMC councilors were present for the occasion while GSIDC Vice Chairman Sidharth Kuncalienker was conspicuous with his absence and GSIDC Chairman Deepak Pauskar arrived just as Vijai finished his speech.
While initially the building will have five floors, by changing the FAR shortly, Vijai said the TCP Department would give them permission to construct two additional floors and added that once the building is completed all the students of ITI, primary and school will be shifted to the new building.
Only then he said the second phase will begin which includes the demolition of the existing building and constructing a new one and added that the Centre as well as State government is committing to providing good infrastructure that includes a good play ground too.
Castigating those who accused him of seeking to destroy the existing cricket ground, he said he was committed to providing not only a good cricket ground but also a football ground of international standards and said he will negotiate with the neighbouring owner to donate an eight metre long strip of land for the football ground.
“While Ravi Naik as the chief minister dropped the acquisition proceedings after going for a ride with Timblos the owners of the land, I shall negotiate with the same Timblo and get the land from him in lieu of which I shall give him additional FAR elsewhere,” he said.
Vijai assured the gathered crowd that both the phased of the building will be completed during this term of the government itself and there will not have to be a long wait as was the case for the work to start.
GSIDC Chairman Deepak Pauskar who arrived late praised Vijai for following up all his proposals to ensure that they are taken up and said that work on the new bus stand for Margao is also likely to start very soon.
