MAPUSA
With no major projects undertaken in Mapusa, development appears to have come to a standstill in the key city of Bardez.
Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) which usually takes up major projects has no works lined up for Mapusa.
The work of renovation of the old Asilo hospital undertaken by GSIDC has already been completed and awaits government nod on its re-opening.
“Work on the old Asilo hospital has been completed in all respects and awaits government direction,” said Jude Cardozo, Manager Engineering, GSIDC.
The government had proposed to start a health training centre in the renovated old Asilo building.
Work on the new bus-stand project, the only other major project visible in the city, also appears to be dragging.
Although the directorate of transport has moved the file to obtain construction licence with the Mapusa civic body, the process seems to be taking a long time.
So far there is no clarity which agency will take up the new bus-stand project.
In the last couple of years, the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) had taken up several beautification projects in the city but as of today the agency has no projects under its belt for Mapusa.
GSUDA Vice-chairman Sandep Falari said that the agency was undertaking construction of shops on the second floor of the structure opposite the taxi-stand. He also said that the construction of a hall on the second floor of the fish market was also carried out by GSUDA.
“We also have several other projects in the pipeline. Beautification of the road from DMC College to Khorlim and the road from Union Pharmacy to Nandadeep, new municipal garage building and four football grounds will be undertaken very soon,” Fallari said.
Mapusa Municipal Council has even failed to take up any new works in the city although the council has taken resolutions on several projects.
“We have received administrative and technical sanction for widening of road from St Xavier’s College to court junction. On Monday tenders will be floated. Also hot-mixing of roads in the municipal market will be taken up very soon,” said Rohan Kavlekar, Chairperson, Mapusa Municipal Council.
He, however, admitted that as of now there were no ongoing projects taken up by the civic body.
