MAPUSA
“Most of the major works of the building are complete. Tenders for the remaining minor works like furniture, landscaping and other allied works have also been passed. What remains is sanctioning of money for these works,” said Francis D Souza, Deputy Chief Minister and local MLA without committing on a date for the inauguration of the much delayed project. “If everything goes well, the building could be thrown open on August 15, but it depends. If financial approvals for balance work are done immediately then work can be completed within days,” he said. The deputy chief minister was taking stock of the progress of the construction of the new police station building in Mapusa on Tuesday. He was accompanied by North Goa SP Umesh Gaonkar, DySP Mahesh Gaonkar, PI Tushar Lotlikar and senior PWD officials. D Souza admitted that the police station project took considerable time to complete but appeared satisfied with the quality of work. He attributed the delay in completion of the project to the number of contractors involved in carrying out different works in the building. It may be recalled that the foundation stone for the new building was laid in 2013 by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. The cost of the new police station building was estimated at around Rs 6.55 crore. The work on the state-of-the-art building was undertaken by the PWD and the contractor had initially assured to complete the work by September 2014. Sources attributed the delay in completing the work due to non-payments of bills. Built on an area of 2800 sq mts, the police station building is a ground plus two structure. The ground floor will house the PI s cabin, office for PI administration, reporting room, office for PSIs and assistant sub inspectors, armoury, wireless, etc. It will also have two lock-up cells for male and female, each having capacity of 15 persons. The SDPO s cabin will be on the first floor, which will also house his administration staff, conference hall, offices of special branch, anti-narcotics cell, women, escort, Mapusa traffic cells and home guard cell.
