No takers for 24 commercial shops inside Bambolim subway

PANJIM, SEPT 3
A 62-metre long subway across the NH 17 outside Goa Medical College (GMC) & Hospital at Bambolim has definitely helped to curtail accidents during last one year but interestingly 24 commercial shops inside the subway “have no takers.”
While there are no clear answers as to why the shops at prime location in Bambolim have failed to attract  buyers  two  departments  of  the government  —  Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC)  and PWD are competing with each other to disclaim their responsibility towards  these shops.
The subway was constructed to stop growing accidents along this stretch of the NH 17. 
Accidents happened here mostly when people crossed the highway either to go to GMC or otherwise. 
The GSIDC constructed the subway at the cost of Rs 6.60 crore. When contacted the Managing Director of GSIDC Sanjit Rodrigues confirmed that there are no takers for the shops even as many stalls within 100 metres radius of the subway are make roaring business.
A year ago GSIDC conducted a census and found that on an average about 4000 persons use the subway on any given day.  But it’s a headache that 24 shops have no takers .
Since completion of the project in January 2009   — the     GSIDC has advertised twice on the availability of the shops but so far the response has been poor. 
“It  could be a clause in  the tender that  says  occupants of  the shops will vacate if this stretch forms part of the expansion  plan for NH 17,” pointed out  a GSIDC officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
He further says subway can be protected but all depends on the plans of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
This piece of information certainly can’t be enough guarantee for any businessman wanting to invest lakhs of rupees in setting up a shop.
The GSIDC found in a lurch when PWD declined to take possession of the shops and left it to GSIDC to find buyers for the shops.
The GSIDC claimed that PWD being a client department as highway comes under its jurisdiction it should take the responsibility for shops.
When contacted the Principal Chief Engineer of PWD, J J Rego denied that PWD is the client department. The GMC is the client department, he adds.
Interestingly, Dr Rajan Kuncolienkar, Medical Superintend  of  GMC, said  GMC might have expressed  the need for a  subway due to  high frequency  of accidents but  it doesn’t  mean it is a client department. 
Meanwhile,  owners of  the stalls and  gaddas  selling  varied    items  from meals,  tea and coffee, to vegetables  and  fruits lined-up outside GMC complex,  are a worried lot.
“They are likely to be affected if  subway shops are open up for business,“ pointed out a GSIDC officer.