NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The capital city will have many new introductions to boast about in a few months’ time, including the renovated old secretariat building dedicated to art and culture, the newly-landscaped Azad Maidan, and a ship-shaped terminal building of Captain of Ports along the reconstructed Panaji jetty.
Coming out with this information after a walkthrough around Panaji with media persons, to audit the developmental works undertaken during his ongoing tenure as the city MLA, Sidharth Kunkalienkar said that nearly fifty major and minor projects amounting Rs 350 crore are underway since he has been elected as the Panaji legislator, 22 months ago.
“In addition, the construction work of the third bridge on the river Mandovi, at an estimated cost of Rs 450, is fast progressing and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the next year,” he added, pointing out that the particular bridge would be provided with a capsule lift for the people to travel to the viewing point atop the bridge and enjoy the panoramic scenery.
“The historical old secretariat building, which has been refurbished at a cost of Rs 14 crore, with CCTV and fire-fighting facilities, as well as structural repair of the roof, would be inaugurated with the organisation of an art festival, on December 16,” Kunkalienkar maintained, adding that the 180-mt long Panaji jetty, which has been renovated as per the international maritime norms, has cost the government Rs 24 crore. “The noted Goan architect, Gerard da Cunha is designing a ship-shaped terminal building for the Captain of Ports, adjacent to this jetty, and the work for the same would soon be tendered,” he mentioned.
It was also informed that Azad Maidan, which houses two important monuments namely T B Cunha Memorial and Martyrs Memorial, and is undergoing landscaping, would be ready in its new incarnation by January 2017. This work, taken up under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) of the central government will cost Rs 2.50 crore, and include walking track around Azad Maidan and benches along the periphery of the ground, especially for senior citizens.
Furthermore, the renovation of Salvador Souza Rose Garden in the city, which was earlier taken up under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme, would now be handled by the government. It would also have a small memorial as a tribute to those, who laid down their lives during the Pinto Revolt, a rebellion against Portuguese rule in Goa in 1787.
Speaking further, the city legislator said that one of the major city projects namely the Miramar-Dona Paula road is now complete. “The concrete road, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 45 crore, will now enter into its second phase to provide a cycling track, and a walkway, besides landscaping for the stretches from Miramar Circle to NIO Circle,” he maintained, pointing out that a vendor zone for food carts; renovation of the Samadhi of the first chief minister of Goa, D B Bandodkar; a children’s park near the Samadhi; an open gym for the senior citizens; and wash rooms/ changing rooms for swimmers in the sea would also be provided under the second phase. Over 1,000 trees of native species would also be planted along this road under the Nagar Van Udyan Yojana, thus creating an urban forest along the beach.
Further, discussing the developmental works taken up during his tenure as the city MLA, Kunkalienkar said that the Alto St Inez area, a hilly area has also been provided with all the facilities including drainage system and basic amenities, in addition to construction of 23 retaining walls to prevent landslides, under the stabilisation of hill slope project of the water resources department, for which a fund of Rs 91 lakh has been used.
The city legislator also stated that lot of developmental works have been taken up in the Boca da Vaca as well as Mala ward, including renovation of anganwadi, construction of steps, beautification of lanes and by-lanes, construction of bridges and so on.
Replying to a question, Kunkalienkar said that the relocation of Campal Ganesh is also on the cards. He further stated that of the 55,000 tonne of garbage dumped at the Campal ground, 28,000 tonne has been segregated, and soon all of it would be moved away.
The developmental works in the city have been undertaken under various heads like heritage, education, disaster management, amenities, environment, garden, connectivity, waste management, sports, sanitation and pedestrianisation.