MARGAO
The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) on Saturday declared its intent to reconstruct the dilapidated Usgao market complex, and develop the unhygienic wholesale fish market at Margao on priority.
The meeting also gave its nod to issue show cause notice to the Osia commercial complex to raze the illegal structures erected in the complex, including the compound wall built at INOX theatre. The PDA meeting has, however, deferred the issue of restoring the heritage building at the Old market area, including the Camara de Salcete, on grounds that the issue would require interaction with the civic body and government approval for land acquisition.
These issues were discussed at the meeting of the SGPDA chaired by Dr Renuka Da Silva, which was also attended by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and others.
After the meeting, Renuka informed the media that the PDA will send a team to Usgao to inspect the dilapidated market complex so that a proposal is placed before the government for its reconstruction. "The PDA wants to develop the Usgao market with a foolproof plan as the complex lies in a state of neglect," she said.
While speaking on the wholesale fish market issue, Renuka said the PDA will take up the development of the wholesale market at Margao, with PDA member secretary Ashok Kumar saying that the planning authority will prepare the budget estimates for development of the market.
When the media questioned the SGPDA member secretary to shed light on the anti-encroachment drive initiated in the PDA in the vegetable market, he replied that the vendors have started repayment of arrears. He pointed out that the vegetable vendors have so far recovered around Rs 40 lakh, adding that the vendors have been told to clear the outstanding arrears by September 30.
"Our drive to recover the outstanding arrears pegged at Rs three crore is paying dividends. The vendors have so far paid around Rs 40 lakh and we are confident that they will repay the arrears by September 30," he said.
Asked to elaborate on the decision taken by the PDA at Saturday \'s meeting to demolish the structures in the Osia commercial complex, the PDA member secretary said that SGPDA has identified certain illegal structures and encroachments in the complex. "We will issue a notice before undertaking the demolition dirve," Kumar added.
PDA chairperson Renuka said that the PDA decision to maintain sanitation and cleanliness at the Osia market complex has helped in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
