The wait for the state-of-the-art complex at Porvorim continues to get longer despite all the strategies in place. With delay after delay, the Goa government has ultimately decided to penalize the Pune-based contractor even as it asserts the structure would be in place shortly. 

“We will penalize the contractor for a prolonged delay in completing the complex. However, we expect the work to be complete shortly,” Goa Housing Board MD Siddivinayak Naik told Herald. 

It is learnt the contractor has been citing various reasons like a shortage of manpower, etc for the delay. Naik said they do not buy these ‘excuses’ and penalization will be done. It is however to see whether the work picks up the pace. As per an assurance given last November, the structure had to be complete in March 2018 but the Porvorkars will yet again have to wait a little longer. 

As the present market is in a dilapidated condition, the government had decided to create the infrastructure dedicating some space for old shops while the remaining would be sold to general public for setting up new ones. As per the plan, the new market complex project, estimated at Rs 15 crore would have two separate buildings in an area of 6,007 sq mts and the total floor area of the building will be 5,974 sq mts. In the first building, there will be 36 shops on the ground floor, 42 shops on the mezzanine floor, 16 shops and 14 offices on the first floor and four offices and a restaurant on the second floor. In the second building, ground floor was reserved for stilt parking, nine offices on the upper ground floor, conference and community hall on the first floor and marriage hall with a seating capacity of 610 people on the second floor.

A total of 79 shops would be accommodated of which some are reserved for existing ones in the old market. Besides, 23 offices are being created which would then be open for sale. The other amenities include Joggers Park, pay toilet block, etc. The parking space would reportedly accommodate 300 cars besides two-wheelers, part of which would be reserved exclusively for the shopkeepers and office staff.

Minister for Housing Jayesh Salgaonkar had earlier told Herald that while another portion would be given for fire safety service, GHB is also considering the proposal by Revenue Department for a Revenue Bhavan in the complex. “The Revenue Bhavan will share the workload and as such, we are considering giving away 3,800 sq mts for this purpose,” he added.