PORVORIM, JUNE 16
The condition of the Aldona market is in a deplorable state, compelling fisherwomen to sell fish outside the market.
The condition of the market is such that the plaster of the roof and walls has peeled off at many places and the water is seeping through the roof. The walls are soaked and mangled electricity wires are hanging, posing serious threat to the lives of the people visiting the market.
The fisherwomen prefer to sit outside the market to sell their fish and the customers have virtually stopped visiting the market because of unhygienic conditions prevailing in and around the market.
It may be recalled that the market was built in 1967 and due to poor maintenance of the market it is now on the verge of collapse.
Speaking to Herald, Aldona Sarpanch Dilip Haldankar said the Aldona market has been built on an area of 600 sq mts, out of which 200 sq mts belong to the Aldona Panchayat and remaining 400 sq mts is the church property.
“It is not possible to build the market in a small area of 200 sq mts. Hence, the panchayat has requested the Church authorities to lease out 400 sq mts of land to the panchayat, so the panchayat can build the new market,” said the sarpanch.
“Panchayat has already prepared a plan of ground plus one building for the new market, the cost of which is estimated to be Rs 1.5 crore. The shops will be on the ground floor and provision of community hall has been made on the first floor. Once the Church conveys its assent to lease out 400 sq mts of land to the panchayat, we will go ahead with the project,” said Haldankar.
He further said Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar has assured the panchayat that he would get the project constructed through Goa State Infrastructural Development Corporation.
A resident of Aldona said Aldona has developed at a rapid pace during the course of last 10 years, especially after construction of Aldona and Corjuem-Poira bridges.
“Presently, construction activities are in full swing and there has been substantial rise in population too. Hence, good market is the need of hour for the residents of Aldona,” said the resident.
“It is high time that the village panchayat and Aldona MLA look into the matter seriously to fulfill the long-pending demand of the residents of Aldona,” added the resident.
