According to shopkeepers, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) had assured to complete the restoration work within three months, and it was only after this assurance that they agreed to close the entrance. They claimed that the restoration work had been going on at snail’s pace from its very commencement 45 days ago.
“Customers have not been visiting our side of the market ever since the entrance was closed by the contractor. It is also difficult for us to bring goods to our shops from the entrance on the other side of the market. The issue was also brought to the MMC’s notice, but nothing has been done. The work is still going at snail’s pace,” said a shopkeeper at the municipal market.
Vasco citizens also complained about the closed market gate and demanded that MMC complete the tower restoration work soon. Vasco local Pramod Ravi Amonkar stated, “Many people visit the market, and so projects in such locations should be completed swiftly. The slow work reflects poorly on the MMC.”
Meanwhile, MMC Chairperson Lavina D’ Souza assured to visit the site and resolve the issue. She stated, “It is unfortunate that the work is going slow, due to which citizens and vendors are facing hardships. However, I will discuss the issue with the chief officer and ask him to direct the contractor to either complete the restoration work quickly or stop the same and open the entrance gate.”
