Team Herald
PONDA: The final stage work of Ponda Market Complex started few days back after the matter was kept pending in the court for almost 11 years and due to various other reasons.
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The construction work of Ponda Market Complex by demolishing the old market sheds at Budhwar Pet Market, started in 2009 and later the incomplete market complex was inaugurated in 2011.
Around 95 per cent of the project work was completed while 5 per cent was pending as the matter was in court after some shop owners had approached the court opposing the Ponda Municipal Council order to demolish their shops to make way for construction of market complex. Although, this matter was resolved some years back, however, the work on the final stage was pending on account of various reasons.
Now, as all the hurdles are cleared, the work on the final stage has started. The workers were seen busy digging for a foundation.
It may be recalled that the Ponda Market Complex, with more than 130 shops, was inaugurated in 2011. However, except around 30 shops, most of the shops located in the four-storey market complex are still not in operation. The market complex was built at an estimated cost of around Rs 38 crore by the Goa State Urban Development Agency. However, it had almost turned white elephant for the PMC with only few shops operating while rest not functioning due to various reasons.
