SALIGAO
The existing market near Hanuman Temple in the Housing Board colony has been falling apart, and the present condition is so precarious that the structure was declared unsafe four years ago. Fears are now rife that the structure could collapse during this monsoon.
Adding to the concern has been a delay in completing the new market complex.
Problems pertaining to the old market complex began four years ago, when a portion of the roof collapsed in August 2012. Then Housing Minister Milind Naik and Goa Housing Board (GHB) Chairman Glenn Ticlo had inspected the market and had announced that that GHB would construct a new market within two years.
GHB then sent notices to shopkeepers on August 14, 2012, directing them to vacate the dilapidated premises in the old market. GHB absolved itself of any responsibility for any damage caused to the structure if shopkeepers continued to occupy the derelict premises.
The foundation stone for a new market complex was laid by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar in February 2013, but work on the project started only in March 2014.
The work was expected to be completed within 18 months, and GHB officials had assured shopkeepers that the project would be completed on schedule.
These assurances had left shopkeepers hopeful of shifting into the new market complex before this monsoon.
Further trouble was in store for the shopkeepers when another part of the old complex came down last year. GHB repaired the wooden structure, but left the concrete structure untouched and no waterproofing was carried out.
With the old complex coming apart and with fears growing that the complex may not withstand the monsoon, the Alto-Betim Merchants Association “ a group representing shopkeepers in the old market complex “ decided to petition Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
In its letter on April 18, the association requested Parsekar to direct GHB to expedite work on the new market complex, so that shopkeepers could shift to the new shops before the monsoon.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official of Goa Housing Board virtually shot down hopes of an early completion to the new market complex on account of two key issues.
“Going by the present pace of construction work, it would take at least seven months to complete the market complex,” explained the official.
“Secondly, GHB has not formulated a policy or decided anything about allocation of shops in the new market complex. A decision has to be taken on whether shops should be sold on outright basis or given on rent. Unless this ownership of shop is established, it will not be possible to allot shops to shopkeepers,” said the official.
When contacted, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte admitted that the condition of the old market is precarious.
“The shopkeepers are quite right when they fear that the structure could collapse during the monsoon,” said Khaunte. “I have received a copy of a representation from the association. I had requested Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to seriously consider their request and have them shifted to the new market complex before the monsoon.”
