PANJIM: Residents of the capital city will no longer have to struggle in the cramped offices of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) as a new administrative building, with all amenities, will be constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
CCP has been functioning in a decades-old building in the heart of Panjim, that lacks space indoors and parking slots outdoors, causing inconvenience to tax payers and visitors.
Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has appointed Margao based Datta Kare as consultant to prepare a project report, which is expected to be ready this month end.
“The foundation stone for the new building will most likely be laid on August 15,” Panjim Mayor Surendra Furtado said.
The proposed built up area as per FAR is 10,400 sq mtr while the total built up area is around 19,400 sq mtr. Furtado said the new four-storey building will be constructed behind the existing administrative office which is around 3054 sq mtrs.
The estimated project cost is around Rs 10 crore, Furtado said adding that the new administrative building for the corporation is a need of the hour. “The corporation requires to project a strong image by building a strong house for itself. There is also need to provide adequate parking and other amenities, top class facilities, apart from being financially feasible,” the Mayor said.
The Corporation office is always crowded with people visiting to pay taxes, collect birth certificates, income certificates and other development permissions.
CCP is one of the oldest civic institutions in Asia. It is also the world’s smallest municipal corporation.
Work to construct a new building had commenced in 2010, when the Corporation had undertaken a feasibility study to take up the project on public, private partnership (PPP). The project estimated at Rs 97 crore at that time remained on paper as the then Congress government had failed to show any interest.
