PONDA: The ground plus two storeys 50-year-old Ponda Municipal Library Building (Shastri Hall), one of the oldest landmark in heart of Ponda town will become history since the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Wednesday started the demolition work on the precarious structure. Municipal Library building has been lying in a dangerous condition for past many years. The decision to demolish it was taken by Deputy Collector Ponda who is also the head of Ponda Disaster Management Team.
Prior to this, Wednesday morning the PMC officials, inspectors asked the four shop owners to vacate their shops. They were rehabilitated at new Market Complex day at upper Bazaar for conducting their business.
The PMC had taken decision to demolish the building in 2018 after Goa Engineering College team conducted an inspection and gave report that it is structurally unstable and need to be demolished.
The building was facing the main road and was posing a risk to vehicle users and pedestrians. The plaster of the wall, and slab plaster was falling and the ceiling was exposed and rusted iron rods were exposed.
Following this the PMC has shifted the Municipal Library long ago to new Market Complex Ponda. The Shastri hall on second floor was also closed and lying vacant. Some 15 years ago the second floor was used for marriage ceremonies and other programmes. However, since four shop owners refused to vacate the premises for the last five years, the demolition of the building was pending.
The shop owners were fearing displacement. However PMC Chairperson Ritesh Naik said they will be given shops with proper agreement. Ritesh Naik said after completing the demolition of the building the PMC will take a decision about the use of land. There is also a plan for pay parking at the site but all will be decided at the council meeting soon.
