NIRGOSH GAUDE | NT
PONDA: An unused market complex in Ponda, vendors’ sopo tax, parking/traffic problems and lack of specialist doctors at the newly-constructed sub-district hospital are some of the burning issues of Ponda constituency.
With the split in the BJP and MGP alliance, the political situation in Ponda has taken an interesting turn. Even though five candidates are in the fray for the Ponda constituency seat, there is a one-to-one battle between the sitting MLA Lavu Mamledar and Congress heavyweight and former chief minister Ravi Naik.
Five candidates are in the fray for the Ponda constituency, namely, Lavu Mamledar (MGP), Ravi Naik (Congress), Sunil Desai (BJP), Mulla Mansur Muzawar (AAP) and Rajesh Verenkar (Independent).
The sopo tax issue of the vendors, which went on till it reached the chief minister’s office in 2014, has not been resolved till date. Ponda Municipal Council’s decision to raise the sopo rate from Rs 5 to Rs 20 per square meter per day in 2012 started the tussle between the vendors and PMC. The tussle between the vendors and the PMC is still on, with the vendors writing a petition before the court. Presently the Ponda market shed vendors are demanding equal sopo rates for both vendors operating in the shed and the rehabilitated vendors at the market complex.
The Ponda Sub-District Hospital which was set up two years ago to cater to the people of Ponda taluka and surrounding areas is lacking specialist doctors, blood storage facility, medicines, a 24-hour pharmacy and proper canteen facility.
In the absence of facilities, people are forced to travel to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim for treatment. The sub-district hospital has about 10 sub centres, including Bethora, Murdi-Khandepar, Wadi Talavlim, Kavlem, Bandora and Nagzar-Curti under its care.
Traffic jams and parking woes have continued to haunt Ponda for many years. There has been a rise in vehicles for the past several years, but the road width, parking spaces and traffic rules have not kept pace with the development.
Ponda is gradually emerging as a commercial centre, but the lack of planning has put the traffic in chaos especially during the busy hours.
Builders are not compelled to provide basement parking facility and consequently vehicles have to be parked on the road which creates bottlenecks. MLA Lavu Mamledar launched a master plan for traffic management, but the plan did not take shape. On the other hand PMC planned to construct a multi-parking facility, but it will take years to become a reality.
