New Market traders willing to rebuild it

New Market traders willing to rebuild it
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JAN 13
Margao’s New Market traders have said they are willing to rebuild the ageing market if the Margao Municipal Council hands over the market to the traders Association.
Association President Vinod Shirodkar said the traders are not opposed to the construction of the market by the government, but raised apprehensions that the traders will be left in the lurch if there is a change in the government.
Shirodkar also demanded to know why the authorities have turned a blind eye to the violation of parking provision by builders across the city.
“We can build the market if the Margao Civic body hands the complex to the traders. We have no trust in the government. We don’t want a repeat of the Panjim situation in Margao”, he said.
Shirodkar said that even Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is apprehensive that that he would be blamed for any delay in completing the project in the event the builder plays truant with its execution.
Replying to a question, he said the Chief Minister has directed the Margao Municipal Council to comply with all procedures to repair the ageing market and to clear the long-pending proposal of the traders for trade licence.
“An estimate of Rs 37 lakh has been prepared by the Civic body for the repairs and paintings. We would like the Civic body to complete the procedure and execute work on the building repairs at the earliest”, he said.
Shirodkar lashed out at the authorities for the silence in cracking a whip against big time builders in the city for violating parking norms. “Accusing fingers are always pointed at the small time traders in the New Market for narrow passages. But, hardly anyone raises questions over rampant parking violations by the builders”, Shirodkar said and demanded action by the Civic body against erring builders violating parking norms.
The Margao New Market Traders Association President said the government should immediately put to use the open spaces at the Pick up stand, old bus stand and the old fish market for vehicular parking. “The Commercial capital badly requires a parking lot to meet the growing requirements. This should be taken up on a priority basis”, he added.