ANIL SHANKHWALKER
PORVORIM
The multipurpose hall, at Socorro, may fail to meet the April 30, 2015 completion deadline as construction work on the project has virtually come to a standstill due to financial crunch. Ironically two foundation stones were laid for the project, both by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
Contractor, Classic Constructions, which had started the work, has thrown up its hands and stopped work over the last eight days, apparently because its bills have not been settled by the State government.
When this correspondent visited the site, no work was going on at the multipurpose hall site, which will also house jogging track, swimming pool, badminton court, gymnasium and other facilities.
It may be recalled that the foundation stones for the estimated Rs 26 crore project were laid twice. The first was laid on May 11, 2001, by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar when Ulhas Asnodkar was the Aldona MLA.
Socorro Panchayat issued construction license to Goa State Industrial Development Corporation (GSIDC) on April 2, 2011, but the corporation failed to start the work. Thereafter, after 11 years for the reasons best known to the State government, the second foundation stone was laid yet again by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar on February 25, 2013. Many residents had raised eyebrows when the second foundation stone was laid for the sports complex, for which construction licence was already issued by the panchayat to the GSIDC way back in April 2011.
The new estimate for the project is pegged at about Rs 34.50 crore. Besides the football ground of 68 metres x 105 metres with jogging track, there will be swimming pool, three badminton courts, two table tennis courts, two squash courts, basket ball court, gymnasium, multipurpose hall, library, changing rooms, lockers and kids play area. The work of this ambitious project is expected to be completed by April 30, 2015.
When contacted, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said the contractor, Classic Constructions, has stopped the work of the multipurpose sports complex since last eight days. As per the information given to him, the government has to pay a balance of Rs 70 lakh to the contractor for the Socorro project.
“The contractor has also undertaken the work of dental college at Bambolim and against this work, there is an outstanding of nearly Rs 3 crore to be paid to him by the government, due to which he must have stopped the work at Socorro,” Khaunte informed.
“Most of the projects in Porvorim constituency, which are going on, have suffered a setback due to financial crunch. As things stand today, it is evident that the Socorro Sports Complex will not be completed by April 30, 2015.”
“Presently, there is no ground for the youth of Porvorim constituency to play. The playground near Hanuman temple at Porvorim is not ready despite assurance by Goa Housing Board. The fate of Socorro Sports project is also hanging in balance,” he added.
“Monsoon is around the corner and it appears that the youth of Porvorim constituency will have to wait for one more year to get a good playground,” Khaunte lamented.
