Proposed convention centre now a CCP poll issue
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 22
The convention centre proposed next to INOX multiplex has become a CCP election issue for the ward number 11, which is having BJP backed candidate, Babush panel aspirant and journalist Ashley do Rosario, contesting as an independent locking horns.
The recent move of the State government to have a mini-convention centre in the space meant for INOX parking has snowballed into election issue during the campaigning here.
“If I get through, I will put my foot down and oppose convention centre. We have lot of other priorities other than building convention centre which will add to the congestion,” BJP-backed Manoj Patil told Herald.
Besides Patil and Rosario, Babush Panel’s Sadanand Thakur, who is sitting legislator, is also vying for the ward again.
The ward covers areas of Campal parade ground till old secretariat, covering Kala Academy, Children Park, market, ferry point and other areas.
The locals here feel that the third phase of Panjim municipal market is incomplete, which needs to be taken up on priority. “CCP has utterly failed to maintain the market. There is unhygienic condition everywhere. The market portrays sorry face of Panjim,” said Patil.
Sitting corporator Thakur when contacted refused to talk saying “I can’t talk now… will see some other day.”
A local and social activist Patricia Pinto said that convention centre next to Inox will spell doom for the locality. “INOX parking is the only decent and spacious lot in the city. It provides relief for the traffic congestion during events like IFFI. If that space is also occupied then it will add to the traffic chaos of the city.’’
Pinto said that there has been no regulation in the ward, which is a conservation zone. “Look at the tourist buses messily parked in the area. It’s a situation of discomfort and chaos,” she said. The houses being old structures are low floored and hence any disturbance affects them straightway.
She added that allowing shootings here add to the garbage woes and disturb the locals, who have inhabited here for ages.
Pinto, a former CCP corporator, said that their frequent pleas to sort out issues faced by ward have fell on the deaf ears of the officials. Not being able to help from their city fathers, the Campal locals association itself has put up the proposal and got it passed from the Public Works Department to lay underground cables and hot mixing of roads.
