PANJIM, FEB 18: The authorities’ failure to complete the Mala market project due to a paucity of funds is staring voters and prospective councilors in the face in ward number 19 when they will go to the polls in three weeks. Menino Da Cruz, the BJP-backed corporator, who tried to get the project executed, has found himself helpless in a ward with 840 voters, that covers areas like Mala, Bhatlem and Patto.
A Rs 1.83 crore project, which included a facelift of the existing market complex and the beautification of the lake was stopped in 2008. The empty coffers of the CCP and the state government’s failure to fund it has left it 85 per cent incomplete. For the last two years, not a single brick has moved an inch. The entire project, conceived in the year 2000, will be now taken up under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
People look at the de-silting of the Mala Lake and its subsequent beautification as a solution for the annual flooding problem. The ward is situated on the lower plank and has water gushing down from the nearby hilly localities. The lake beautification project came to the drawing board during Manohar Parrikar’s reign as CM, but since then it has been kept on the back burner.
The Mala lake beautification work comprises a promenade, pavements, railings all around, a parapet wall, marine life in the lake, parking, a bridge, a food court, a boat club and more. The NGPDA, who had forwarded a detailed report on the revised project, is awaiting the final approval from the government for inviting tenders.
Menino Da Cruz defeated Nilesh Moraskar during 2006 elections, and had a total expenditure of 70 lakhs out of which the CCP contributed 40 lakhs, while the government provided the rest. Now, this ward is reserved for women and Menino’s wife Deodita Da Cruz is contesting against Babush panel’s Maria Rita Fernandes.
A senior citizen, requesting anonymity said, “The flooding of lake has been a major problem for the ward. We cannot blame the corporator alone. The lake beautification project which was undertaken by Parrikar, was the only hope for us, but that was apparently a pipe dream.”
