PONDA: Call it divine intervention or call it good planning. The outcome has been successful.
The Ponda Municipal Council’s decision of shifting the traditional Matoli Bazaar during Ganesh festival from main road to the open space behind the market to decongest the bazaar road was highly successful both in terms of commerce and to decongest the area. Even buyers and common man of the area welcomed the move and it was a hassle-free buying spree before the festivities.
However, even as the market shifting plan was realised, utilising the facilities of the basement parking at Ponda Market Complex building failed.
The shortage of traffic staff during the festive season is being considered as the main reason for not being able to utilise the basement parking facilities.
Also, the shifting of the Matoli Bazaar created about 200 metres space between the basement parking and the makeshift market area. As a result, shoppers did not wish to park their vehicles in the basement and carry heavy shopping bags right up to their vehicles.
Meanwhile, councillor Irvin Soares who is the chairman of Matoli Bazaar and traffic management reiterated that the basement parking remained unutilised as there was shortage of traffic staff to direct car owners to park their vehicles there. “We will make further changes in the area to facilitate the vendors, shop owners and buyers”.
The basement parking lot has not been utilised since its inauguration four years ago.
Moreover, only few shops in the complex were occupied. It is learnt that the project has not been handed over to the PMC by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation.
Viraj Sapre a social worker from Ponda said the PMC must work out a solution and utilise the basement parking facility soon.
