JULIO D’SILVA
While the foundation stone for the multi-storeyed pay parking facility at Margao was laid on September 15, 2015, four years from now, the work has not yet begun even though it was projected as a golden jubilee project for Margao town.
Margao Municipal Council’s (MMC) consultant Sankalp Amonkar designed the five-storeyed proposed building, which will have parking for four-wheelers on the first four floors and the ground floor while the fifth floor will have administrative offices for the council.
The building will have 4,881.15 sq mts of built-up area in a total area of 4,800 sq mts where the building will be constructed.
It will provide a parking area for 112 four-wheelers and 42 two-wheelers. The open space around the building can cover parking for two-wheelers along with 11 four wheelers.
The MMC had earlier received Rs 3 crore as the golden jubilee grants in the year 2010 and had decided to utilise these funds to construct a parking lot. Such a structure is needed urgently as the traffic congestion in Margao has become a major headache due to vehicles being parked by the roadside.
A contractor from Ponda was initially selected to undertake the project but that fizzled out due to reasons best known to the authorities. However, it is rumoured that the contractor backed out as he was asked to pay a 10 per cent commission.
Incidentally, PWD’s consent for the project was obtained and the South Goa Planning & Development Authority (SGPDA) was paid Rs. 32 lakh for the construction license so that the government could not claim back the golden jubilee funds for non-utilisation.
After a long delay, fresh bids were invited and Manan Constructions from Maharashtra was given the contract vide letter dated June 30, 2017 for Rs. 6,48,97,074.
However, then came GST and Manan Constructions did not commence the work as the rates had changed and the file kept shuttling from the council to the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) to the PWD for fixing GST rates.
As nothing was moving, the council finally decided to withdraw the acceptance letter and invite fresh tenders.
However, as there was no response, the tenders were not opened in March this year. In fact councillor, Arthur D’Silva who was the then chairperson when the stone was laid, said he was willing to get a contractor at the MMC recent council meeting. Hence it was decided to retender the project once again.
“I assure that the building will be ready within 18 months once the tender is issued,” he said confidently.
