Five years after a detailed lay out plan for the state-of-the-art market complex at Porvorim was prepared, the project is yet to become a reality. With the present market complex in a dilapidated condition, the government had decided to create the infrastructure dedicating some space for old shops while the remaining would be sold to general public for setting up new ones.
However, the project has been languishing for many years despite all strategies in place. As per the plan, the new market complex project, estimated at Rs 15 crore would have two separate buildings in an area of 6,007 sq mts and the total floor area of the building will be 5,974 sq mts. In the first building, there will be 36 shops on the ground floor, 42 shops on the mezzanine floor, 16 shops and 14 offices on the first floor and four offices and a restaurant on the second floor. In the second building, ground floor was reserved for stilt parking, nine offices on the upper ground floor, conference and community hall on the first floor and marriage hall with a seating capacity of 610 people on the second floor.
The Goa Housing Board (GHB) however claims the project is nearing completion as last phase of the construction is expected to complete by March 2018 following which the shifting of the old shops will begin. “The project is 60 percent complete and the remaining work will be completed soon. We expect the entire complex to be ready for possession by March 2018,” Minister for Housing Jayesh Salgaonkar informed Herald assuring the work has been expedited to ensure it meets the deadline.
He claimed that a total of 79 shops would be accommodated of which some are reserved for existing ones in the old market. Besides, 23 offices are being created which would then be open for sale. “The court building is coming up in the close vicinity so we expect that lawyers will want to have their offices in the surrounding area, and this would be a good option. Other professionals too can buy the office spaces,” Salgaonkar said.
The other amenities include Joggers Park, pay toilet block, etc. The parking space would reportedly accommodate 300 cars besides two-wheelers, part of which would be reserved exclusively for the shopkeepers and office staff.
The minister also revealed that while another portion would be given for fire safety service, GHB is also considering the proposal by Revenue Department for a Revenue Bhavan in the complex. “The Revenue Bhavan will share the workload and as such, we are considering giving away 3,800 sq mts for this purpose,” he added.
Denying any delay in the present scenario, the first-time minister claimed they recently held two site inspections.
The issue also figured in the past Assembly sessions bringing to the fore the poor condition of the vendors in the old market.
Guruprasad Pawaskar, who contested the 2017 Assembly elections from Porvorim on BJP ticket, hopes the work is completed at the earliest. “The government had committed to the Porvorim residents that the new market complex would be ready soon. I am hopeful it will be commissioned without further delay,” he said attributing the delay to the Code of Conduct.
The locals and the vendors are eagerly waiting for the project’s completion, primarily because it will save travel time. “We have to travel to Panjim for grocery and other shopping. The traffic during peak hours and the ongoing construction of the third Mandovi Bridge has been consuming a lot of travel time. Once the market complex is ready, it will be a big relief to the consumers,” Anita Das, a Porvorim local said.
Another resident, whose aunt owns a small shop in the old market has raised the issue of safety claiming there is always a fear the structure might cave in. “It is a mess during the monsoons but the fear remains during the other days of the year too. We are waiting for the new complex to come up,” Rupali Nanoskar said.
