MAPUSA
Stating that the Aldona market complex could give way any moment, Aldona MLA, Glen Ticlo said he has instructed the local panchayat to immediately take steps to seal the complex to avoid any untoward incident.
“We have already had a situation of losing precious lives in Calvim. I do not want a similar incident to repeat in the market complex. I have instructed the Aldona Panchayat to first seal the complex for the safety of the people,” Ticlo said.
The MLA was addressing a news conference in his party office in Aldona on Friday.
Ticlo said he wanted to reconstruct a new market complex at the same spot with government help, but refusal of the shopkeepers to vacate the premises was the major bone of contention.
The MLA pointed out that the issue of the market complex was a little complicated due to the fact that the property belongs to the St Thomas Church, however, part of the premises was leased out to the panchayat. “Some shopkeepers are direct tenants of the church, while some are tenants of the Aldona Panchayat,” he disclosed.
He said he had held discussion with the panchayat and the church committee and both agreed on the need to urgently reconstruct the complex, but the shopkeepers were trying to put a spoke in the wheel by refusing to vacate the premises.
It may be recalled that the Engineering College of Farmagudi after conducting a study submitted a report detailing that the structure was weak and was dangerous for human use.
The market complex has developed wide cracks on the walls while the plaster of the ceiling has been falling down at several places.
The Aldona MLA said he was convinced from the report of the experts and therefore instructed the panchayat to immediately issue a notice under Section 76 directing all the occupiers to vacate the complex. “I will not permit another casualty in my constituency on account of carelessness of the shop owners,” Ticlo said.
The MLA said after the sealing of the complex he would initiate the process of reconstructing the market with the help of the church and the panchayat.
BJP Aldona Mandal President and Mapusa Councilor, Franky Carvalho, Bastora Sarpanch, Savio Martins, Aldona acting Sarpanch, Priyanka Pinto and Uccassaim Sarpanch, George D’Souza were present on the occasion.
