At a reasonable gathering at Our Lady of Grace Hall on 30.11.2003 at 10.30 a.m. MLA Margao Assembly Constituency and Urban Development Minister Digamber Kamat had an interaction with the voters of his Constituency.
South Goa District headquarters Margao Municipality which includes Margao and Fatorda Assembly constituencies has several ills beginning from Traffic congestion, Garbage, Power Failures, Malaria etc. Mr Kamat in his nearly hour long interaction clarified on these issues. Power: Unlike any other State in India, Goa.s power needs come from two Grids Western (Maharashtra) and Southern (Karnataka) through the Ponda and Xeldem Stations. Margao Municipality area has two sub stations Fatorda (Old Market area) and Aquem. When power fails the shifting from one grid to another consumes about 10 - 15 minutes ande Goa can overdraw from the Southern Grid. This way the wait period of power interruption is minimal. Now to ensure uninterrupted power a new substation at Monte and yet another at Konkan Railway station for areas on the South of the Railway tracks (to cater to Rwafond Sirvodem etc)is being set-up. While 9% loss of power is permitted, the MRT Vigilance cell and meter readers have observed that nearly 50 % power consumers have domestic meters non functioning. To avoid this digital electronic meters to check the accuracy of billing are being installed. Change of conductor is also an ongoing effort. Computerisation of power bills is also expected. All these are under the APDRP scheme of the Central Government. The lineman who is usually unlettered, lowly educated and invariably from Maharashtra Karnataka are vital ingredients of the power supply machinery. Several incentives like kits at the cost of Rs 800/- and other allowances have been given as an incentive. Those on nominal muster rolls who are not guaranteed social security measures as in the case of permanent staff have been provided full medical assistance and even employmnet ot next of kin. GARBAGE Pilot studies on door to door collection of Garbage (bio & non biodegradable is being tried at Amrut nagar. Two sites in Quepem and Colvale have been located for garbage disposal in South and North Goa using ultra modern technology as in Bangalore near the IAS Officers Colony . The garbage treatment plants will sell the manure for the farmers at affordable rates. TRAFFIC /ROADS A truckterminus is coming up Opp KTC Bus Stop which will have all traffic related facilities petrol pumps garages auto workshops and linked to the Western Bye-pass to avoid the movement of heavy vehicular traffic in the city. A Transportation Centre for South bound buses will be set up near Konkan Railway BUILDING BYE-LAWS an uniform building bye-laws with stringent conditions is being laid down and approved soon to check the past irregularities. Concretisation of roads is on the anvil beginning from Old Market as per the memorandum of understanding with ACC-Mark Company which will ensure a 5 year un fratured road. The western bye pass will commence from Carmel College via Colva Road via Jakni Bhand at Dramapur - land acquisition proceedings are on. The ring road conceptualised in the early seventies is now being finalised with changes in view of new Buildings and encroachmnets. The ring road beginning from Rawanfond end via Konkan Railway will pass through Malbhat, Old Railway Station the present Road over Bridge (Old Rly Gate) Cine Lata and along eastern side of Railway track at Comba and move towards. There is a need for a 12.5.metre road all along. The traffic Islands are designed by IRTE New Delhi conversant with traffic regulations hence the interference of the MLA is none. Pay Parking will be introduced on 1st January 2004 at the Old Fish market behind MMC and other 28 arterial main roads. WATER SUPPLY The existing tanks hold about 800 cubic to 1000 cu water. The Master Balancing Reservoir at Gogol after Chowgule College near the MUTT has a capacity of 10,000 cu m. However yet another one at Monte with 4000 capacity is being built now. Alongside the old water pipelines new ones are being laid. SEWERAGE Work on all sectors are in full swing except the Southern Phase. Here M/s Ion Exchange Company has made apresentation on how the manhole once dug without building trenches the underground sewerage pipes could be bored three meteres without cutting the road and disrupting traffic.This is approved by Governmnet will complete the entire underground sewage system. Due to reluctance of household and Housing societies to connect their drainage system due to high costs. The Government is envisaging a scheme where every household or flat owner will pay Rs.1000/- and the Government will bear all the other costs. The sewage treatment plant is already being modified to face the new demands. Where storm drains are needed ( in hilly areas) the MLA could be approached and work order will be sanctioned. HEALTH The best health facility for Margao-ites in the public sector is the Appollo Victor Hospital Opp Carmelite Monastery, besides that upgradation and remodelling of Hospicio Hospital maintaining its aesthetic beauty along with other state Hospitals is on the anvil. CT scan has been introduced. RECREATION The Ana Fonte Spring near Hotel Nanutel (Pajifond) is nearing completion. Ravindra Bhavan at Fatorda, then a fantastic recreation leisure and recreation including fishing area is being carved at the Fatorda Lake. A new Non Conventional Energy park and Eshibition Park to hold Caranaval Shigmo Parade Circus etc is being set up Opp the District Court. CHIEF OFFICER MARGAO There is a paucity of Grade I officers, in Ga State Civil Services. While posts of Directors Addln Collector Collectors come in this cadre, with over 45 officers retiring on attaining the state of superannuation mostly from immediate post Liberation era fresh promotions are expected in January 2004 hence the issue of dual assignments for Chief Officer MMC will be solved. CEMETRY Our Lady of Grace Church parishioners requested for a cemetry land was made available free of cost by landowners behind the Rua Pe Miranda - Pajifond . Yet for reasons unknown Mr. Kamat suggested a place somewhere at Ambajim. At this juncture Parish Priest of Our Lady of Grace Church mentioned about a land available near Damodar College Behind Loyola High School which belongs to the Holy Spirit Church. The attorney Mr Jose Maria Miranda of Borda also agreed to the proposal except for a small hitch --- an acess needs to be provided. Adv Radharao Gracias now a resident behind Grace Church although hailing from Majorda suggested a 10,000 sq mts plot behind the Old Market (tinto) which could be acquired by the Municipality. If acquired the parishioners cold have a place where the reqieum mass and burial could be held. The proposals are to be reconsidered taking all parishioners into confidence. Despite the promises held out the parishioners wonder how long all these matters would take to see the light of the day. The major issues of traffic chaos unruly motorists, parking on pavements hawkers zone, the caging of Margao Gardens stray dog menance the issue of Santas Almas Chapel with the pathetic picture of the religious place being saddled with wares of a cobbler and encroachment by one of the vendors needed to be clarified on demand by a local BGO South Goa Public Interest Action Group represented by it s President Mr Terence Mazarelo, by the Minister was conveniently sought to be discussed privately albeit owing to paucity of time. The meeting ended with the parishioners waiting for yet another set of assurances but no time limit set.The Parish Priest Fr. Joao Pedro Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks. Mr. Hilary DSouza co-ordinated the funtion. Others present were Jose Carlos Gracias Inez Cotta Carvalho, Dr Lanfredo Da Cost Adv Leo Velho Adv Filomen Reis Mr James Fernandes . godfrey j. i. gonsalve borda margao goa. ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Mobile: Download the latest polyphonic ringtones. Go to http://in.mobile.yahoo.com ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
