Team Herald
ponda: Constructed three decades ago, the PDA Market in Usgao is in shambles on account of lack of maintenance. The market’s slabs and beams have been rusted which has caused leakage during monsoon.
Over 100 vendors conducting business in the market had urged the SGPDA and the government to inspect the market, which they fear could collapse any moment as the structure has turned weak.
Hotelier Suresh Naik said, “Since the past few years, the SGPDA market is leaking. The vendors conduct business on the ground floor while the hall on the first floor leaks as the sheets have been damaged. Vendors on the ground floor complain of damage to their goods due to the water leakage. The beams are rusted and slab iron rods are exposed at various places.”
Deputy Sarpanch Ramanth Dangi said, “Since its opening, the market has been totally neglected on the maintenance front. The panchayat is not getting revenue but we lift garbage and waste dumped by the vendors. The structure could collapse any moment.”
“Health Minister Vishawajit Rane has planned a new market for Usgao. SGPDA should support this. We asked SGPDA to handover the market building to the panchayat so that we can repair and generate revenue. However, SGPDA is demanding Rs 40 lakh to handover this dilapidated building to the Usgao Panchayat. Who will buy this dilapidated building at Rs 40 lakh?” he questioned.
