Four months have passed since the second foundation stone was laid for the same project at Socorro and yet, work on the project is yet to begin.
The second foundation stone for the sports complex was laid on February 25 this year by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the presence of Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte.
Parriker had told reporters that work on the multipurpose sports complex would commence by April 11. He had also stated that the work has been entrusted to the Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation, who would construct it at a cost of Rs 27 crore.
Incidentally, the two foundation stones for the same project are located about 20 metres from each other, near the entrance of the Socorro ground opposite the Clergy Home.
Not many were aware that Parrikar, during his earlier stint as chief minister, had laid a similar foundation stone for the ‘Sports Complex’ in the presence of then deputy speaker and Aldona MLA, Ulhas Asnodkar and then Socorro sarpanch, Mahanand Asnodkar, on May 11, 2001.
When the foundation stone was laid in 2001, it was announced that the project would comprise various facilities, including a multipurpose hall, swimming pool, badminton court, gymnasium and a changing room.
According to sources, the Socorro panchayat had adopted a resolution on June 6, 1992, to develop the playground in the open space of 29,425 sq mtrs. The Serula Comunidade had also issued its no-objection certificate to transfer the land from the State government to Socorro Panchayat without the formalities. However the foundation stone in 2001 had been of little use as the facilities were not set up on the ground.
Then on February 12, 2008, the Socorro panchayat sent a project proposal along with drawings, etc, to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department. The panchayat received approval from the TCP on December 17, 2009 and it was forwarded to the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) on February 26, 2010.
In its letter dated January 4, 2011, the GSIDC requested the Socorro Panchayat to issue a construction license and hand over the land to them to construct the project.
When asked to comment on the delay of the project, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said: “There has been a delay in the commencement of the project because of a delay in completing legal formalities by the government departments.”
“The GSIDC had invited tenders for the construction of a multipurpose hall with a badminton court, gymnasium, changing room and other facilities at Socorro ground on June 3. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 23.84 crore. The tenders were opened on June 24 and as per information given to me by the GSIDC, the work is expected to start in July.”
“The time to complete the project is 18 months. The tender for the supply of sports equipments required for the project, the cost of which has been estimated at Rs 5 crore, will be invited later,” said Khaunte.
Admitting that the work on the project could not start despite laying the first foundation stone on May 11, 2001, Khaunte said the work could not be started because of non-completion of legal formalities.
“There was a lot of confusion about the ownership of the ground. It took me nearly three months to complete the legal formalities. I had to obtain a no-objection certificate afresh from the Serula Communidade. In fact, I have been pursuing the matter vigorously with the GSIDC and will endeavour to get the project completed as fast as possible,” assured Khaunte.
