Work on new Porvorim market complex hit by lack of funds

ANIL SHANKWALKER  

PORVORIM

Hopes for a full-fledged market complex in Porvorim have been dashed yet again, as construction of the Goa Housing Board’s (GHB) new market complex near Hanuman Temple at Porvorim has virtually come to a standstill due to paucity of funds.

The foundation stone for the market complex was laid in February 2013 and the work started in March 2013. However, a group of residents gathered at the site of the new market complex on April 29, 2014, and stopped the work in protest. Later, then chief minister Manohar Parrikar intervened in the matter and work resumed in August 2014.

With work of the market complex having come to a standstill, people are skeptical that the project will be completed within the scheduled time. A visit to the site of the new market complex revealed that work had come to a grinding halt. On enquiry, it was revealed that since the contractor had not received his payments from GHB, he had diverted his labourers to another project at Baga.

When contacted, none of the GHB officials were prepared to comment on the project. However, reliable sources told Herald that the financial position of the GHB is very critical, as it does not get grants from the government.

“Further, the State government had purchased 1.70 lakh sq mtrs of land at Colvale at the rate of Rs 6000 per sq mtr to construct a jail, but GHB has not received payment from the government at yet,” said the source. “Similarly, GHB had sold 10000 sq mtrs of land at Porvorim to the State government and the payment is still outstanding. The government has to pay about Rs 20 crore to GHB.” “The GHB recently paid income tax to the tune of Rs 6 crore. GHB is facing a severe financial crunch and now plans to take loan from financial institutions to complete its projects,” the source added.

A local businessman, Shekar Bidye, said the residents of Porvorim were aware that GHB would not be able to execute the massive project.

“What is more important for Porvorim residents is the playground. The residents were assured that they would get the playground within 4 to 5 months,” he said. “GHB has failed to fulfill its commitments. Now, children are playing on the roads and soon, the summer vacation will start. Where are children going to play? This is not fair,” he added.

“The GHB should not have built the market complex on the playground. Despite opposition from locals, the GHB went ahead with the project and now, see the result. The fate of market complex and the playground is uncertain. GHB should have constructed the new market by the side of the existing old market. On completion, the old market could then have been demolished,” said Bidye.

When contacted, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said he had written to GHB on December 4, last requesting for a site inspection of the new market complex. “But till date, I have not received any reply from GHB. At the time of commencing the market complex, I had requested GHB to complete the playground on a priority basis and make it available to residents of Porvorim within 4 to 5 months. The GHB had assured that it would be done,” said Khaunte. “Based on their commitment, I had assured senior citizens and youth of Porvorim that the ground would be ready within 4-5 months. But, the GHB has failed to fulfill its commitment and now, it has put me in an embarrassing situation,” Khaunte added.