THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
First, brace yourself for the stink of fish. Then climb upstairs to get your government work done!
That could soon become the routine for residents of Bardez, with the mamlatdar’s office, revenue courts and the deputy collector and additional collector’s offices set to be temporarily housed on the top floor of Mapusa’s fish market while the existing government complex makes way for a new Bardez Bhavan.
And this is no short-term inconvenience. The arrangement is expected to remain in place for at least two-and-a-half years – the time frame given by GSIDC Chairman Michael Lobo for completing the new government complex.
The prospect of seeking official clearances and attending revenue court hearings in a building where the fish market below will continue to operate is likely to make the temporary shift an experience to remember, though not necessarily for the right reasons.
Lobo, accompanied by Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza and officials, inspected the vacant halls on the market’s top floor on Monday to assess the work required to convert them into temporary government offices.
The chicken centre operating in the building will be shifted elsewhere, Lobo said, but the fish market will continue functioning as usual.
“We have come to inspect these two halls above the fish market as per the directions of the chief minister, to ensure that the necessary work is carried out and the offices from the old government complex are shifted here,” he said.
Lobo said the available space was good and would need to be refurbished before the offices could move in.
The government hopes to complete the shift within a month to 45 days.
The temporary offices will have to accommodate the public visiting the mamlatdar, joint mamlatdars, deputy collector, additional collectors and revenue courts.
While GSIDC plans to provide access through the existing staircases and install three lifts, the fish market below will remain in business.
New complex to cost Rs 127 crore
The new Bardez Bhavan is planned as a ground-plus-six-floor building with two basement levels providing parking for around 200 cars. Besides, arrangements will be made to park 300 two-wheelers around the complex. Four lifts will serve the public, with a separate lift for officers.
“The project is estimated to cost Rs 127 crore. The tender will be issued after the expenditure sanction is received,” Lobo said.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza appealed to GSIDC chairman to expedite the project, saying the corporation was the agency best placed to execute the work efficiently and complete it within the stipulated time-frame.
Until then, Bardez residents seeking government services may have to navigate the smell of a working fish market before reaching the offices that deal with their land records, revenue matters and other official business.
