MAPUSA
While work on underground power cabling at an estimated cost of Rs 119 crore has been taken up in earnest in Mapusa, there are several projects/works which have remained incomplete, some for as many as eight years.
The underground sewerage line, six floor commercial project, beautification of the key market road and second phase construction of the fish market building has been pending for the last several years.
Despite spending a lot of public money, the authorities and the elected representatives have failed to apply their mind to resolve issues and fast-track the work.
Here is a low-down on the projects.
SEWERAGE PROJECT
Total cost: Rs 152 crore
Agency: Simplex Infrastructures Ltd
Work awarded: 2012
Time of completion: 2015
Present Status: Complete but not commissioned
Clearly the sewerage project was one of the biggest to be taken up in Mapusa but more than eight years after work on the project began it is yet to see the light of day.
For almost three to four years, residents of Mapusa had to undergo a lot of hardship as most of the roads in town were dug up to lay the sewerage line. From horrible roads to massive dust pollution, the locals endured it all expecting some positive outcome from the project.
But more than eight years down the line not a single household has got a sewerage connection in Mapusa.
The contract to lay the sewerage line in Mapusa and Calangute-Baga was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd in 2012 and was expected to be completed in September 2015.
The total cost of the project both for Mapusa and Calangute was pegged at Rs 152.72 crore.
After missing several deadlines, the sewerage pipeline network of around 38 km in length was finally completed in Mapusa in 2020.
The Sewerage Treatment Plant at Camarkhazan, Mapusa was also completed.
After a delay of nearly eight long years, the government had finally initiated the process to issue sewage connection to individual homes in Mapusa.
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) had in April this year issued permission for road cutting to the Sewerage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) in order to provide individual sewer connections.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his budget speech had said the sewerage project in Mapusa along with some others will be commissioned in this financial year.
He also said the government was aiming to increase sewerage connectivity from 17 to 28 percent and allocated Rs 372 crore to the sewerage sector.
But so far, the sewerage corporation has not started any work on the ground.
A senior official with the sewerage corporation informed that the sewerage project was complete in all respects and work on providing sewer connections will begin soon.
“We received permission from the civic body in April just when the monsoon was approaching. With monsoon receding, work on sewer connection is expected to begin at the earliest,” the official informed.
SIX FLOOR COMMERCIAL PROJECT
Total cost: Rs 20 crore
Agency: GSUDA
Work awarded: 2019
Time of completion: 18 months
Present Status: Incomplete
With an eye on revenue generation, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) decided to construct a six-floor commercial project in place of the municipal garage situated on prime land in the heart of the city.
The project estimated to cost Rs 20 crore and taken up under the aegis of the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) was launched in 2019 and expected to be completed within 18 months.
As per the plans, seven shops have been planned on the ground floor and 14 on the first floor while the remaining five floors would house offices. A provision for parking of 52 cars has been made in the basement.
However, soon after work on the project started Covid pandemic struck and the work on the project slowed down. Financial constraints also led to the delay in the completion of the project.
Senior engineer with GSUDA, Hussain Shah Muzawar, informed that work on the project which was delayed due to Covid has picked up pace now and would be completed early next year.
“We expect the work on the project to be completed by March next year,” Muzawar said.
MARKET ROAD BEAUTIFICATION
Total cost: Rs 1 crore
Agency: GSUDA
Work awarded: Feb 2021
Time of completion: April 2021
Present Status: Incomplete
The foundation stone for relatively small work of underground cabling and beautification of the main Mapusa market road was laid in February 2021 and was expected to complete within two months.
While laying the foundation stone local MLA Joshua D’Souza had said his prime focus was to take up small projects which were doable and could be completed within six months to one year.
This project was also undertaken by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.
The work entailed overhauling and giving a smart look to the crucial road stretch from Sirsat building (Union Pharmacy) to the Mapusa Urban Coop Bank (Nandadeep).
As part of the plan, the overhead wires along the road stretch would be removed and placed underground. The road will also have a median with two-arm fancy light poles placed at regular intervals along the stretch.
The work was expected to be completed by April end, last year.
According to senior engineer with GSUDA, Hussain Shah Muzawar, since the electricity department has taken up work of underground power cabling for the entire Mapusa this stretch of work will also come under the scope of the power department.
Interestingly, massive work on underground cabling taken up by the power department in Mapusa is expected to be completed in another two years.
FISH MARKET SECOND PHASE WORK
Total cost: Rs 4.79 crore
Agency: GSUDA
Work awarded: 2016
Time of completion: 2018
Present Status: Incomplete
The work on the second phase construction of the fish market has been dragging almost five to six years for reasons best known to the powers that be.
While the fish market is located on the ground floor, the first floor of the building caters to chicken and mutton shops. Later, the Mapusa Municipal Council decided to construct an exhibition hall on the second floor with an intention to hand it over to self-help groups of Mapusa.
The estimated cost of the project was Rs 4.79 crores which was expected to be completed in 2018.
For some reason the original contractor which was allotted the work quit in between and the balance work was later re-tendered.
Senior engineer with GSUDA, Hussain Shah Muzawar informed that work is nearing completion and is expected to be completed by December this year.
