After missing deadline, PMC market to begin ops in Dec

Panaji: Even as Goa celebrates Diwali, chief minister Pramod Sawant’s promise that the Ponda market complex would be operational by Ganesh Chaturthi, is yet to be fulfilled. According to Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) officials, the likely date for full-utilisation of the new market complex has now been pushed to December.

PMC officials said that large parts of the structure have been left vacant. This, they said, was due to the delay in approval of the tender for maintenance works of the complex, by the directorate of municipal administration.

“We had passed the tender for the maintenance work before Chaturthi, but it was pending for approval before the directorate of municipal administration, Panaji. We have received the approval now and the tender has been floated,” said PMC chairperson Venkatesh Naik.

The eight-year-old Ponda market complex was sanctioned under Golden Jubilee funds.Since it has not been fully operational for a prolonged period, it requires maintenance works before the remaining part of the complex can be put to use.

Post maintenance, PMC plans to start auctioning 10 shops per day. While 16 shops have already been auctioned by PMC, 59 are left. The first auction was held in 2017, during which 13 shops were given out. “We cannot begin with the auctioning process. Currently, painting, electrical and lift installation are some of the crucial works pending,” said municipal engineer Vishant Naik.

The new market complex was constructed at a cost of Rs 4.4 crore.