The agonizing wait for the completion of vegetable market inMapusa will probably continue for some more time.
GSUDA, under whose supervision the market was leftincomplete, has been once again given the custody of the market.
The incomplete vegetable market structure is lying in aneglected condition and is currently being used by the fish vendors.
The work for the construction of the vegetable market wasproposed around seven years back. The construction was handed over to Goa StateUrban Develpoment Agency in 2005 for an estimate of Rs 1.37 crore.
Around 250 vegetable vendors were supposed to beaccommodated in the market.
Initially work started at a good pace but later it gotbogged down in a controversy, as there was a dispute over bills and due towhich the contractor left the work incomplete.
Later in 2009, GSUDA asked Mapusa Municipal Council to takeover the incomplete market and finish the work. GSUDA were ready to fund theproject but for some reason MMC failed to take up the task.
Currently the incomplete vegetable market is being used byfish vendors, as work on the new fish market is in the final stage. Thevegetable market structure is in a bad state. The entire premises stink. Theiron rods in the ceiling are visible and have rusted.
The President of Mapusa Merchant Association, Yeshwant Gaundalkar said that they hadapproached local MLA and Deputy Chief Minister, Francis D’Souza who has assuredthat work on the market would start by March 2013.
“We have put a proposal to our MLA asking him to demolishthe structure, since at present it comprises of only ground floor. Governmentcan construct a multi-storied complex and re-locate all the vegetable andfruits vendors under one roof,” Gaundalkar said.
In July, MMC had passed a resolution stating thatconstruction work of incomplete work should be handed over to GSUDA. Newestimate of incomplete work is pegged at Rs 3 crore, which is double theoriginal cost.
“We have got a technical sanction and the file is withGSUDA. We are waiting for financial approval for the project. Hopefully in next15 days the tender would be floated,” said Sudhir Kandolkar, Chairperson ofMapusa Muncipal Council.
