The Shastri Memorial Hall building of the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC), located in the heart of the town, is in dire need of repairs. Despite the deplorable condition of the building, four shops and a municipal library are operating there, while several people visit and walk around the building. The PMC has already stopped the use of the hall on the second floor.
Citizens have demanded that if repairs are not possible, the building should be demolished and reconstructed expeditiously. Incidentally, the GSUDA had recently approved five major development projects in the PMC’s jurisdiction, one of which is the development of the Shastri Hall building via demolition.
As the building has not been maintained, its condition has deteriorated over the years. Plaster from the ceiling has fallen at various places, exposing iron rods that are completely rusted. The ceiling also appears to be on the verge of collapse. Additionally, the building is located on the roadside, due to which the repairs need to be carried out urgently.
Despite the PMC passing resolutions to repair the building over several years, the work has not been undertaken till date. Pondaitees are worried about what will happen to the building during the monsoon or in the event of a natural calamity.
The building is a ground-plus-two floor structure. There are four shops on the ground floor, while the first floor houses the municipal library, which several people visit daily to read newspapers and books.
The Shastri Memorial Hall is on the second floor, and its doors have been closed for the last decade due to the dangerous condition of the building. The hall was once used for programmes, marriages, cultural activities, music training, etc, by various institutions.
According to Agnelo Cabral, who owns a cycle shop on the ground floor, the building is over 40 years old. He said, “Many times, plaster of the ceiling has fallen on people visiting the premises. Though I had received letters about the demolition and reconstruction of the Shastri Hall building some 10 years ago, the PMC has not shifted us or shown us temporary quarters. Recently, we again heard that the PMC would demolish and reconstruct the building. All shop owners expect the PMC to give us shops in the new building after its reconstruction. If the PMC shifts us temporarily to a suitable place before the start of the work and assures to give us shops in the new building, we four shop owners are ready for it.”
Meanwhile, PMC market vending committee president Venkatesh Naik, who is also a councillor, stated that the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA), in a meeting held recently, had approved five major development projects worth around Rs 80 crore in the PMC’s jurisdiction. One of the projects is the development of the Shastri Hall building via its demolition. A commercial project with multi-level parking will come up after the building is demolished.
He further said, “So far, shifting of the shop owners could not be undertaken as there is no technical report for occupation of building from the PWD. Considering the possibility of a natural calamity, the shop owners need to be shifted, and the building should be demolished and reconstructed urgently. We have discussed the issue in council meetings time and again. The council will look into the matter seriously.”
