Team Herald
PONDA: It’s nearly a decade; the Ponda market complex constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 38 crore is yet to be made operational.
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The complex, which houses around 130 shops, appears to have turned into a white elephant. To add to this, the lift has not yet been installed in this four-storey building. Some vendors had even refused to shift to the new complex fearing loss in businesses and government had not handed over project to Ponda Municipal Council (PMC). Some vendors had even approached court with their demands.
Now, with all issues sorted out, the project still lying idle except for a few shops operating on the mezzanine floor.
The project was inspected by former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar and later by CM Pramod Sawant last year after the Ponda MLA raised the issue in Assembly. Sawant had assured to complete pending work and make the complex operational before Chaturthi but that did not happen.
PMC chairperson Vishwanath Dalvi said, “My priority is to complete the pending work including repairs and maintenance of the market complex and make it operational within three months.”
He said, “After issuing tender, the work order to repair and maintain the complex has commenced. The leakage issue reported in market complex has been solved as the roof sheets have been replaced with new ones. The electrical work will start in the next few days.”
Dalvi said, “The work to install the lift is pending but we are following up the matter to get it done at the earliest. Tenders were issued four times for the lift installation work, however there were no takers. But efforts are on to complete the work.”
He said, “We will conduct the process to auction shops in the complex and the file has been sent to the DMA for approval.”
