SHOWPIECE? Nearly four months after its grand inauguration, the Mapusa civic body’s new commercial complex lies idle, mirroring the poor planning and stalled projects that have long plagued the town.
MAPUSA
Nearly four months after it was inaugurated with much pomp and ceremony, the massive six-storey commercial complex near the old municipal building in Mapusa continues to remain locked and unused, raising sharp questions about the purpose and planning of such big-ticket civic projects.
The complex, developed by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) and handed over to the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), was touted as a landmark project meant to decongest the city and provide additional space for shops and offices. But despite the ribbon-cutting in June, citizens have been left wondering when – or if – the building will ever become functional.
Occupancy certificate controversy
The inauguration itself was clouded in controversy. At the time of its unveiling in early June, the building did not possess the mandatory Occupancy Certificate (OC), which is a prerequisite for any structure to be declared fit for use. Opposition councillors alleged that the inauguration was “illegal” and purely for political showmanship.
Sources in MMC’s engineering section have confirmed that the building’s construction licence had already lapsed, and any renewal would now require fresh approvals from the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA).
Local MLA and Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza, however, brushed aside concerns at the time, insisting that only “minor procedural aspects” were pending and that they would be cleared in no time.
But four months on, little progress is visible.
Opposition questions intent
Opposition councillor Shashank Narvekar, who had earlier urged postponement of the inauguration, remains critical.
“This is a clear case where intent to complete the project is missing. They are not concerned about providing facilities to citizens of Mapusa,” Narvekar told The Goan.
Narvekar also pointed to a long-standing legal dispute over the project.
A private landowner has filed a writ petition in the High Court, claiming that about 100 square metres of his property was encroached upon during construction.
A recurring pattern
The controversy is not without precedent. Several other structures built by MMC in the past – including the much-hyped project of 108 commercial shops in the Mapusa market – continue to remain vacant due to lack of permissions and occupancy certificates, generating no revenue for the civic body.
Critics say the new commercial complex risks going the same way if decisive action is not taken.
MMC response
Mapusa Chairperson Priya Mishal maintained that the council is actively working to obtain the necessary approvals. “The process is on to get the required permissions from the departments concerned. As soon as we receive them, we will issue the occupancy certificate,” Mishal said.
But with no timeline in sight, citizens and traders are left sceptical. “The council always says ‘soon’, but nobody knows how soon that will be. Meanwhile, the building is just lying there like a white elephant,” remarked a local shopkeeper near the project site.
For now, the towering structure stands as a symbol of stalled promises – inaugurated with fanfare but yet to serve its intended purpose.
