Team Herald
PONDA: A portion of slab of the dilapidated Usgao Planning and Development Authority market collapsed on Wednesday night injuring one local, who was present at spot.
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He was admitted to the Pilem Health Centre.
According to the locals, the PDA market is the main place of bazaar for them. However, since past many years the building has been on verge of collapse due to lack of maintenance. It is around 30 years old and is owned by the PDA. There is long pending demand for construction of new market building. However, at time of elections, the politicians are giving tall promises. The ground plus one floor building’s plasters of slab falling, walls have received cracks, roof is leaking and iron rods of beams and slab are rusted and exposed.
The vendors fear to conduct business in the Usgao PDA Market lying in dangerous condition due to lack of maintenance.
They had also urged the PDA and the government to inspect the market structure which they fear could collapse any time taking life of innocent people.
Located in heart of village, more than 100 vendors including fruit, fish, general store, hotels, shops selling various goods etc are conducting business and are in constant fear due to weak market structure.
A hotel owner said, “Since past few years the PDA market is leaking. The roof sheets are damaged and the rain water is falling on the vendors, who are conducting business on the ground floor, destroying their goods. The beams are rusted. Plaster is falling and iron rods of slab are exposed at various places. The vendors, three years back had even protested to attract the attention of government on the issue.”
Sources in Usgao Ganjem Panchayat said, “The PDA market was opened in 1991 and shops were allotted to the vendors but since then the PDA totally neglected maintenance of the market. The panchayt is not getting any revenue but it clears the garbage and waste thrown by the vendors. It can collapse anytime and claim lives of innocent people. Hence, the government should urgently look into the matter.”
“Health Minister Vishawajeet Rane planned a new market for Usgao. However, the file is pending due to COVID-19 pandemic. The PDA should support Rane for completing the new market building,” the sources said.
“The panchayat had asked the PDA to handover the market building so that they can repair and generate revenue. However, the PDA demanded Rs 40 lakh to handover this dilapidated building to the Usgao Panchayat. Who will buy this dangerous building which is costing Rs 40 lakh,” the sources added.
