Entering Panjim during peak hours of the day and the evening especially from under the Mandovi Bridge has proven to be a task which many commuters will be accustomed to.
The multi-level car and bus parking facility at the entrance to the city had promised to help ease the traffic issue especially with vehicles coming to the jetty but with the building still incomplete, the city may still have to hold on to their dream of smooth traffic and pay parking.
The project that was initially meant to be completed in April was met with several hurdles including financial ones. Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) that has taken up the project said it will be completed in two months time.
Speaking to Herald, GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said issues related to money and funds that were the reasons for the delay have been sorted.
“Some funds have started coming in and the same contractors that were appointed are continuing the work. We expect it to be completed in two months time,” he said.
Contractors Venkatrao Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd had stopped work on the building demanding their pending bills worth Rs. 10 crore that were yet to be cleared. Cabral however, said the same contractors would finish the work based on an assurance to be paid a part of their outstanding amount.
“The same contractors will be finishing the work as they have been promised that funds would be released to them soon. Based on this assurance, they have agreed to take up the rest of the work,” said Cabral.
The multi level parking building will accommodate 85 cars per floor totaling 455 cars. It comprises of a ground floor, three levels and an open space including a ramp to ascend to each level with two passenger lifts and a toilet facility.
The area totals 19,400 square meter and has cost the government Rs. 90 crore including the renovation of the cruise jetty, bus parking, terminal parking and its connectivity to the Santa Monica Jetty.
On the issue of whether the department is facing a financial crunch, Cabral had no clear answer saying they were unsure but were going ahead with the funds that they are currently in possession of. “We can’t say for sure whether there is a financial crunch but we are certainly going ahead with the work with funds that have currently been released to us,” said Cabral.
