VALPOI
The Rs 12 crore Valpoi market complex building of the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) has been embroiled in several problems since it was built five years ago.
While merchants and traders have complained of hardships on account of poor amenities, they have also raised concern about the anti-social activities in the complex after dusk.
The old market complex was replaced with a new Rs 12 crore multipurpose market complex during the Congress rule in 2012.
The market complex encountered problems re
The Rs 12 crore Valpoi market complex building of the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) has been embroiled in several problems since it was built five years ago.
While merchants and traders have complained of hardships on account of poor amenities, they have also raised concern about the anti-social activities in the complex after dusk.
The old market complex was replaced with a new Rs 12 crore multipurpose market complex during the Congress rule in 2012.
The market complex encountered problems re
garding allotment of shops and the matter was challenged in court, before it was settled.
Since the last three years, the merchants and traders have been complaining of negligence by VMC authorities and over 50% of these lease holders are prepared to return their shops to VMC on grounds that the rent is exorbitant.
Besides lack of maintenance, they are unhappy over anti-social activities in the premises after dusk.
"Some college students are using the premises to indulge in anti-social activities, but authorities have not deployed any security personnel to keep a track on such activities despite repeated demands," said a 70-year-old vendor, Savitri Gaonkar.
She also raised concern over lack of amenities, which she said, was to have been addressed by authorities according to guidelines for vendors.
"Taps in the toilet are dry for many months. In such conditions, how would customers respond to our business," she asked.
Another vendor, Premanand Kesarkar, claimed that though the project generates revenue for the VMC, the council is least bothered to maintain the project.
"Now, this project has become convenient spot for drunkards during the day and night. Authorities should seriously look into the matter," said Kesarkar.
Another trader, Morajkar, expressed anger over such activity in the complex. "The VMC is not serious about the market complex. We have invested lakhs of rupees by availing loans from the banks to set up our businesses, but customers are unwilling to visit our shops due to poor amenities in the building," he said.
Since the last three years, the merchants and traders have been complaining of negligence by VMC authorities and over 50% of these lease holders are prepared to return their shops to VMC on grounds that the rent is exorbitant.
Besides lack of maintenance, they are unhappy over anti-social activities in the premises after dusk.
"Some college students are using the premises to indulge in anti-social activities, but authorities have not deployed any security personnel to keep a track on such activities despite repeated demands," said a 70-year-old vendor, Savitri Gaonkar.
She also raised concern over lack of amenities, which she said, was to have been addressed by authorities according to guidelines for vendors.
"Taps in the toilet are dry for many months. In such conditions, how would customers respond to our business," she asked.
Another vendor, Premanand Kesarkar, claimed that though the project generates revenue for the VMC, the council is least bothered to maintain the project.
"Now, this project has become convenient spot for drunkards during the day and night. Authorities should seriously look into the matter," said Kesarkar.
Another trader, Morajkar, expressed anger over such activity in the complex. "The VMC is not serious about the market complex. We have invested lakhs of rupees by availing loans from the banks to set up our businesses, but customers are unwilling to visit our shops due to poor amenities in the building," he said.
