Finally, after a six-month battle, Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) succeeded in demolishing the Old Market building to make way for a new four-storey mega market project.
In fact, the Quepem municipal market project remained embroiled in controversy for the past several years, due to political interference and technical problem.
It came as a relief for many to finally see QMC demolishing the old building last week to initiate the new Rs 11 crore mega project.
Six months ago, QMC had got the green signal from Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) to begin ground work for the proposed market project and the proposed project was sanctioned by GSUDA. GSUDA had asked the council to vacate the old building so that they could demolish the building and start construction of the new building.
Unfortunately, the council vacated the shop owners and also started demolishing the old building without getting due permission from GSUDA.
One of the councilor even objected to this and went to DMA to stall the demolition process. Subsequently, DMA put a stay on the demolition due to which the project was delayed for six months. Now after the council got permission for demolition they have gone ahead with their plan of constructing the market project.
The first phase will be fish, meat, vegetable market on the ground floor, while the second floor will have shops and there is a proposal to have a wedding hall accommodating a thousand people.
For the past fifteen years Quepemkars and vendors have been crying for a well-equipped market project.
Leader of opposition and Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar tried to hasten the process but failed. In fact, it took almost six years to get the government approval and financial sanction for the project. Then OMC’s internal politics too delayed the project for over six more months.
Now the council has decided to rehabilitate the shopkeepers and vendors who were doing business for the past several years. However, some citizens have raised objections, giving further headache to the council. Presently, the council has shifted the market near Quepem Urban Societies office and vendors are carrying on business in a shabby and congested place. Besides there are no facilities provided for vendors and customers alike. There is stench everywhere and no proper arrangements have been made for sanitation.
It will take at least two years to complete first phase of market complex and till then Quepemkars would have to manage in the temporary market.
QMC sources told Herald that the construction of the new building would start after monsoons and they were optimistic about the project.
Quepem is one of the oldest towns in South Goa and Quepemkars are hopeful that if GSUDA starts tendering work quickly at least by 2022 Quepem they will see a better market place.
