TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), which has had a tumultuous relation with the BJP government, on Tuesday resolved to approach it to notify the acquired area at Bainguinim for solid waste management as an industrial area, considering the delay in granting permissions for the project from different authorities.
Amidst heated arguments, the CCP general meeting also resolved to appoint a project management agency for reconstruction and development of the St Inez creek, which is in putrid state. Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues stated that corporation has spent nearly Rs 3 crore on the consultant for the project so far, which failed to bring in revenue of even worth Rs 3000 as per the audit.
Rodrigues proposed that the corporation will approach the government to consider notifying the land acquired at Bainguinim for solid waste as an industrial area and limit seeking of approvals from the local body. He said that the project is time bound and is required to be completed in 24 months for availing the sanction grants of Rs 72 crore by the Urban Development Ministry under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
“The corporation has noticed that the permission required for construction of the facility has not been received in time from the local authorities. It had to file appeal with the authorities and had to approach the High Court for necessary directions to the local bodies for the issuance of licences,” Rodrigues said.
Pointing to the urgent need for development of St Inez creek, the commissioner proposed appointment of project management agency to carry out detailed survey, soil investigation, preparation of design, bridge, culverts, estimates, etc. Rodrigues said that Union Ministry has sanctioned around Rs 19 crore for the project that needs to be implemented within 24 months.
The corporation has decided to appoint either a government agency or a private agency for the purpose. CCP would soon be writing to the government on the issue. The corporation meeting witnessed heated arguments on appointment of consultant for the audit and failure to complete pre-monsoon works. While the issue of a consultant was raised by corporator Rudresh Chodankar, the issue of delay in completion of pre-monsoon work was dodged by Mayor Surendra Furtado citing shortage of manpower.
Meanwhile, the corporation has decided to call for a special meeting to discuss the status of the market scam and signing of lease agreement with legal occupants before May 30.
