The construction work of Rs 8.5 crore worth commercial project in the Cuncolim market has just commenced. But the question that’s doing the rounds in the town is whether the same will prove to be a boon or a bane.
Blame it on the apathy on the part of Cuncolim Municipal Council or red-tape, the project which was supposed to be ready by now, got delayed due to the above reasons.
During the recent Goa Assembly elections Mario Morais and former MLA Joaquin Alemao supporters had stopped the project citing code of conduct. Finally, the contractor commenced the construction work just 15 days ago.
The locals and shopkeepers seem to be a worried lot as they fear that the construction work will lead to flooding in market. The site is low lying field which has a natural drainage to drain out the rainwater. The contractor has assured the locals and shopkeepers that he will make arrangements to drain out the water. However, the CMC officers are not ready to speak on this issue.
Some locals have fear that the project will lead to water logging in the Cuncolim market and at Porbuswaddo.
Some social activists too have raised their concerns that the project which is coming up in a low lying area will certainly cause floods during the monsoon.
Those supporting the project have a totally different story to narrate. They are of the firm belief that the project constructed under GSUDA will be a boon to Cuncolim.
They claim that the project has been designed in such a way that there will be no flooding in the area. The project will have an underground parking facility, shops on the ground floor, offices on the first floor and a mini air- conditioned hall on the second floor.
Former councillor Raman Naik says he tried his level best to get the project completed during his tenure. Speaking to Herald he alleged that some councillors in the past delayed in issuing an NOC to the project. “In fact, the project was approved by council during my tenure as a councillor. We had proposed this project to accommodate the shopkeepers along the Cuncolim-Quepem road. Our aim was to demolish the old building along the road side and to rehabilitate these shopkeepers in the commercial complex. The idea also was to ease traffic congestion in the area and solve the parking problem. Many shopkeepers have accepted the idea. The government and council must go ahead with the same proposal or else the sole purposed of the project will be defeated, Naik said.
When Herald contacted some of the shopkeepers whether they are aware of the rehabilitation proposal they said they were informed orally.
The shopkeepers further stated that if they get a good rehabilitation proposal from council they are ready to accept it. They said that there is no formal proposal for rehabilitation.
CMC officials told Herald that project is coming under GSUDA and we will take a decision once it is handed over to us.
