Goemkarponn desk
PONDA: It’s been eleven years the multi-crore project is still not fully operational, except few shops, the Ponda market complex has become a ghost complex.
Out of 130 shops in project, less than 20 percent in operational.
It won’t be wrong to say the market has turned white elephant.
Recently, many shops are auctioned but not yet started business.
Ten years after inauguration of the Complex finally got a lift, which started functioning since past three days.
Sources said the lift was installed and made operational on 15 August.
The four storey building got lift after ten years sufficient to prove that the the most shops in building were lying idle.
PMC Chairperson Shantaram Colvekar when contacted told Goemkarponn that the maintenance work is nearing completion and he hopes the shops in complex would be operational soon.
It’s nearly a decade ago old market was demolished in 2009 and the Ponda market complex was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 38 crore, which was inaugurated in 2011.
However, the complex, which houses around 130 shops, remained ghost complex.
Afterr inauguration the vendors refused to shift to the new complex fearing loss in business. They feared that customers may not turn up into their shops in new building. Some vendors had even approached court with their demands.
Now, with all issues sorted out, the project still remains none-starter except for a few shops operating on the mezzanine floor and few shops on second floor, which includes PMC Library.
The project was inspected by former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar and later two years ago by CM Pramod Sawant after the Ponda MLA raised the issue in Assembly.
Recently, after issuing tender, the work order to repair and maintain the complex has commenced.
The leakage issue reported in market complex has been solved as the roof sheets have been replaced with new ones.
According to sources lift installtion work was delayed as tenders were issued four times for the lift installation work, however there were no takers.
Finally, the lift work is completed.
At least now Pondaitees hope the project would be fully operational.
