-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: The new market complex in the Bicholim town, built at a cost of Rs 6.5 crore and completed a couple of months ago, is yet to be inaugurated.
This long-pending demand of Bicholim residents has been fulfilled by the government, however, for some strange reasons, the inauguration of the market complex has been delayed. It may be noted that the inauguration of the complex was scheduled to be held in the last week of April, however, it was cancelled at the eleventh hour. And, since then the inauguration has been delayed, which, if inaugurated, will sort out the problems faced by traders and vendors. Presently, the open space in front of the complex is being used by vendors and hawkers on weekly bazaar day, that is, Wednesday. Every Wednesday, there is a heavy rush of people who come to do shopping from nearby villages like Mayem, Narva, Piligaon, Latambarsem, Vathadev, Karapur-Sarvan, Latambarsem, Nanoda, Kudchirem etc. The scene becomes chaotic on the bazaar day when vendors and people who come to do shopping have to face a lot of inconvenience. According to sources, BMC had proposed the new market complex during the tenure of ex-chairperson, Mr Satish Gaonkar. This market complex has a provision for 66 shops on ground floor and 20 shops-cum-offices on the first floor. Besides, there is also a parking facility in front of the complex. There are separate blocks allotted for vegetable and fish vendors very close to the main building. When asked, Bicholim MLA, Mr Naresh Sawal, said that the inauguration of the new market was delayed for some reason or the other, adding that, the market was fully ready with the completion of all other works, and that, its inauguration would not be delayed any further. Mr Sawal informed that traders who have their shops in the old market would be accommodated in the new market and that there is also a proposal for demolishing the old market structure which is over 50 years old. Meanwhile, Bicholim residents are also facing problems due to lack of parking space. Roadside parking and street vendors add to pedestrian problems, reducing the road width. In this view residents are of the opinion that BMC should identify a site for a parking lot, and that, measures should be taken to monitor traffic on the bazaar day.(NT)
