The works of the sports complex in Socorro and the new playground near Hanuman Temple in Porvorim have come to a standstill due to non-payment of dues to the contractors. The deadlines for both projects, which are being undertaken by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and the Goa Housing Board respectively, have already passed.
The work of the Porvorim market-cum-sports complex project in Porvorim began in March 2014. At the onset, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte had requested the GHB to complete the playground by August 31, 2015, as the local youth badly needed the same.
As GHB failed to complete the work, Khaunte visited the site on September 2, 2015, along with the then GHB Managing Director Nilkant Signapurker, engineer Peter Fernandes and officials of the contractor Shalak Infra-Tec (I) Pvt Ltd.
After inspecting the site, Khaunte had expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace of the work. He impressed upon the officials that the residents needed this playground and requested them to complete it by mid-October 2015. The GHB officials had agreed to the same, but despite their assurance, this playground has still not been completed.
Businessman Shekar Bidye stated, “Porvorim residents were aware that GHB would not be able to execute this project on time. What is important for Porvorim residents is the playground. They were assured of a playground within four to five months. GHB has failed to fulfill its commitments. Soon the summer vacation will start. Where are the children going to play? In the first place, the GHB should not have built the market complex on the playground. Despite the opposition from the locals, GHB went ahead with the project. Now see the result. The fate of the playground is hanging in the balance.”
The foundation stone for the ambitious sports complex in Socorro was laid on February 25, 2013. The project is estimated to cost Rs 34.50 crore. Besides a football ground of 68 x 105 meters and a jogging track, there will be a swimming pool, three badminton courts, two table tennis courts, two squash courts, a basketball court, a gymnasium, multipurpose hall, library, changing rooms, lockers and a kids’ area. This project was expected to be completed by April 30, 2015.
When contacted, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte stated, “I am totally let down by GHB and GSIDC. Since there was no playground for the youth of Porvorim, I had requested GHB to complete the sports ground within six months. But despite its assurance, GHB has failed to meet the deadline. GHB will develop this ground with a Mexican lawn, washroom and seating arrangement and I will fix the goalposts and make a cricket pitch at the centre of the ground. The sports complex in Succor is a need of the hour. The youth of not only Succor, but the entire Porvorim constituency, are in urgent need of a sports complex. I am after the GHB and GSIDC and have impressed upon them to complete the playgrounds soon.”
