Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: In a long pending realization of demand, put forth to the late CM and Ex- Defence Minister soon after 2019 assembly elections, Goa Housing Board(GHB) has allotted land admeasuring 2275 sqm in Shristhal for setting up a New Fire Station Project in Canacona.
In its communiqué to the Director of Fire & Emergency Services, GHB Managing Director Neeta P Amonkar conveyed the Board’s approval for allotment/transfer of land admeasuring 2275 sqm at Shristhal for setting up a new modern Fire Station at Canacona. The communiqué also conveyed that Rs.4700/- per sq mtr would be charged for the plot of 2275 sqm as decided in the Board’s 517th meeting held on 25.10.2023 which would be allotted to the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services with the prior approval of the government in terms of Rule 3 of the Goa Housing Board plots Rules, 2016.
Incidentally, Canacona Fire Station set-up in one of the Godown complex opposite to Canacona Police Station in December 1998, with just one Fire-Tender and a Station Sub-Officer continues to cry for attention. Except for some minor changes and improvements, even the staff was hardly augmented and inadequately equipped has often been a borne of contention and continuously found wanting in several emergency incidents.
Taking the opportunity at the launching function of Water augmentation and laying of new Pipeline at Shristhal in 2019 where a new fire tender was also commissioned by then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, the then Canacona congress MLA Isidore Fernandes demanded shifting of Canacona Fire Station to a more suitable land and called for allotment of a suitable plot at Goa Housing Board Colony at Shristhal for housing the new Fire Station of Canacona.
Subsequently, twice later the land of Goa Housing Board at Shristhal was inspected during the visits by the then concerned Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar, and also by then GHB Chairman in the presence of then Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes.
According to Goa Housing Board sources, since then the file was under process and finally during the GHB’s 517th meeting the rates were decided paving the way for the approval. It is for the government now to decide on the setting up of a new Fire Station, added the source.
Interestingly once the project becomes a reality,it will provide more efficient services to the increasing population of Canacona taluka.
