Team Herald
ZUARINAGAR: Though the Zuarinagar slum in Cortalim Constituency is considered as one of the largest of its nature in Goa with over 18,000 people residing at this thickly populated ghetto, but when it comes to basic facilities, Zuarinagar can be categorized as the most backward, with no facilities including the much needed market facility.
In absence of a market, the vegetable and fish vendors have been operating in the existing market area which is lying in dilapidated condition since last several years.
Interestingly, the election manifesto of late Mathany Saldanha (2012 assembly polls) promised the construction of new market complex at Birla, Zuarinagar.
But after his sudden death, his wife Alina Saldanha became a minister in the BJP government. People from Zuarinagar had high hopes on Alina that she would fulfill Mathany’s assurance.
But after almost five years of BJP government, the people have now realized that market issue would prolong for years together and would always be an election promise with no guarantee that even in future the same would be fulfilled or not.
“Birla-Zuarinagar is home to thousands of migrants, but it is lacking a market complex and parking facilities. Currently, the existing market complex is congested with stalls operating in pathetic conditions and vendors can be seen sitting anywhere in the open space without a proper shed or under tarpaulin sheets,” said Hunumanta Harijan, a resident from Birla Zuarinagar
What adds to the problem is the traffic congestion during peak hours with vehicles parked haphazardly around the market which is located just adjacent to the road and having bus stop in front.
“We want a market that should be totally organized and planned. We don’t know whether this dream of people would be fulfilled even by the next government or would remain as a poll promise to lure voters,” said Laxmi Chalwadi, a housewife from Zuarinagar.
As per information available, MLA Alina Saldanha did make efforts to ensure that this dream of Zuarinagar slum gets fulfilled on priority.
Herald investigation revealed that after Alina took up the issue, the Zuari Industries Ltd which has its factory in Birla donated 700 sq mts of land for the new Birla market complex to the Sancoale Panchayat. She along with the Panchayat then forwarded the proposal to GSIDC giving details of requirements that should be made available in the new market plan, but the file is spending final approval of the government.
