VELIM: The brand new sports complex at Tollekanto, Velim wears a deserted look. Almost a year after GSIDC completed the constructions of the office and other blocks, drains, audience stands and other structures, there seems to be no further progress towards completing the project and opening it up for the students of St Rock high school and sports youth of the village.
Herald inquired with GSIDC officials who informed that there are four components to the project. The first component by GSIDC which covers the construction of the structures, wirth Rs 15.9 Crores had been completed on time in April 2018. The tender for second component which includes the construction of the internal roads and parking area has been floated two days ago.
The third component is related to landscaping and tree plantation by the forest department and the fourth component is related to the development of the grass turf of the playground which will be taken up by the Sports Authority of Goa. The GSIDC official informed that these two components come under different departments and therefore they cannot direct them to initiate the work.
“The remaining three components can be executed in parallel. If all the works commence, the project will be ready by March 2019”, he said. In the same note, he said that if there is a delay in tendering, then given the upcoming loksabha election and code of conduct, the project may get delayed further.
Former Sarpanch of Velim Melvyn Sanches says the work should be completed and the ground opened for the children and sportspersons of Velim. “It is a need of the hour. After Phase one, they have to work on phase two where they have to construct a swimming pool and gym”, he said. The MLA of Velim Filipe Nery Rodrigues and the Director of SAG were not available for comment.
