Team Herald
VASCO: Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has decided to lease its unused premises to earn additional revenue and weed out illegal activities. One of the premises includes the old MPT hospital building, which became a den for anti-social elements after the hospital shifted to Headland Sada 15 years ago.
MPT chairman Cyril George stated, “It was brought to my notice that MPT has four or five vacant structures, which the locals complained were being used by anti-social elements. Therefore, we have decided to lease out all such premises so that MPT will get revenue.”
According to locals, the MPT hospital was inaugurated in 1983, and after 17 years, shifted to Headland Sada. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) provided security at the vacant premises for several years, but was later replaced by private security. Some years ago, the site became a safe den for anti-social elements, who also stole electrical and plumbing fittings from the abandoned building.
“However, if the premises are given on lease, then surely such activities will stop,” said Anil Chodankar, a senior citizen from Baina.
Although Baina locals have welcomed MPT’s decision, they have requested that instead of leasing the vacant premises for commercial activities, the same should be converted into hospital again. They claimed it would provide relief to a large number of poor residents from Baina and Vasco.
“Since the time MPT hospital stopped its operation in Baina, people had to face severe hardships as they had to travel several kilometres away to Cottage Hospital, Chicalim. If industrialists from Vasco could come forward and start medical services under CSR funds, then a large number of people from Baina and Vasco would benefit,” said Pramod Amonkar, a Vasco resident.
