the goan I network
MAPUSA
Will not the conceptualized Bardez Bhavan, a multi-storeyed administrative complex housing most government departments near the main city market, worsen the growing traffic congestion in Mapusa?
For Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo, it wouldn’t as government has plans to construct a by-pass road outside the city which will connect the government complex to the new bus stand.
“People from other places like Porvorim, Calangute, Saligao or even Tivim can enter through that road. Besides all outgoing traffic from the government complex will be routed through that bypass road,” Lobo said.
He also suggested of providing a facility of two-level basement parking accommodating almost 500 cars in the complex.
What appears to be a spur of the moment decision, Lobo along with Mapusa MLA, Joshua D’Souza, soon after the Independence Day function on Thursday morning, issued a statement to a few journalists that a proposal would be moved to demolish the present government complex and construct a new multi-storeyed building
that will accommodate all departments including the electricity and the sub-registrar office.
When pointed out that the area housing the present government complex was a water retention area and the basement of new complex could be flooded during the rains, the minister said modern technology would take care of it.
The waste management minister said the present complex was designed over 40 years ago and many of the offices in the building could not accommodate people visiting the place.
“There is need to have a government complex with all offices under one roof. We can have four elevators around the complex which will help senior citizens and the physically challenged who need to visit the offices,” Lobo said.
“We will invite the chief minister to inspect the present administrative building and accordingly take a decision,” he added.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza said he has decided to move a proposal before the government to have a new government complex in Mapusa which will accommodate all the departments.
“If we have all departments under one roof, it would benefit not only the people of Mapusa but entire Bardez. We can charge nominal fee for parking facility and the revenue obtained can be used to maintain the building,” D’Souza said.
Incidentally, former CM late Manohar Parrikar had planned to construct a new government complex near the old Asilo building. Lobo said the land available near the old Asilo was very small while the present complex has an area of 4000 square metres.
