PWD Minister Digambar Kamat addressing the media on the launch of three major projects in the city on Monday. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Come Monday, the commercial capital will finally see the implementation of the long-delayed parking project — exactly 11 years after the foundation stone was laid by the then city fathers in 2015.
Another important project to be launched on Monday is the long-awaited repair and conservation of the over-century-old Margao Municipal heritage building, which has been crying out for attention due to years of inadequate maintenance.
Briefing the media, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane will launch three major projects in the city costing a total of Rs 17-18 crore. These include the puzzle parking project behind the Margao Municipal building, the repair and renovation of the municipal heritage building, and the inauguration of the renovated municipal library.
“The puzzle parking project, costing Rs 7.70 crore, will be the first of its kind in Goa. Once completed, around May, the project will accommodate around 70 cars and 30 two-wheelers. The project cost includes the maintenance and upkeep of the facility for a period of five years,” he said.
Kamat clarified that the puzzle parking project is different from the one whose foundation stone was laid in 2015 without the groundwork being completed. “This time, we are launching the project after the work order has been issued to the contractor,” he said.
The PWD Minister said the government would explore the possibility of implementing a second parking project at the pick up stand, depending on the success of the puzzle parking facility.
He added that the key advantage of the puzzle parking project was that it required relatively little space. “We have seen huge towers in residential societies in Mumbai accommodating hundreds of vehicles. At Margao, the puzzle parking project will come up on land measuring 1,146 square metres. We can even consider another project in the same area in the future, depending on its success,” he said.
On the repair and renovation of the municipal heritage building, Kamat said the work would be undertaken at a cost of Rs 9 crore and would include air-conditioning facilities. “The renovation will ensure optimum use of the available space in the heritage building for the benefit of the public,” he said.
