PORVORIM
Socorro Sarpanch Sandeep Vazarkar and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte have taken a dig at each other over construction of the Socorro Sports Complex, which is still incomplete since the foundation for the project was later in 2013.
While Vazarkar said the youth need a good ground at Socorro and not a sports complex, Khaunte has accused the Socorro panchayat for its lack of vision and interest to carry forward the ideas.
Stating that Socorro needed a good market and a playground, Socorro Sarpanch Sandeep Vazarkar said if the market complex was constructed at the same site, the panchayat would have earned substantial revenue.
“The construction of the Socorro Sports Complex is being handled by Goa State Industrial Development Corporation (GSIDC) and the panchayat does not want to interfere in their work.”
“Even if the project is completed and handed over the panchayat, the Socorro panchayat will not be able to maintain such a huge project. The custody of this big project will have to be given to Sports Authority of Goa for maintenance.”
“There are good swimming pools in Panaji and Peddem-Mapusa. There was no need for an additional swimming pool in Socorro and it is just a waste of land and money. The youth need a good ground at Socorro and not a sports complex,” said Vazarkar.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said though the work of the Panchayat Ghar and the ground of Salvador do Mundo panchayat were started in August 2015 has been completed long ago, the work at the Socorro Sport Complex is still in progress.
“Nobody knows when this project will be completed. The six members of Socorro panchayat joined BJP in the name of development in 2019, but they have not been able to complete this project till now,” said Khaunte.
“The complex was meant to provide best sporting facilities to the youth of Socorro and Porvorim. Initially, the GSIDC had some issues with the contractor but the matter was resolved and work resumed in full swing. However, work on the project has slowed down since 2019.”
“Lack of vision and interest to carry forward the ideas has been the weak point of Socorro panchayat,” claimed the MLA.
The Socorro Sports Complex had been planned to offer facilities for different sports such as a football ground, jogging track, swimming pool, badminton courts (3), table tennis courts (2), squash courts (2), basketball court, gymnasium, multipurpose hall, library, changing rooms, lockers and kids play area.
The foundation stone for this project was laid on February 25, 2013 and project was estimated at Rs 34.5 crore at the time.
