Quepem: Despite being the taluka headquarters, Quepem town lacks basic necessities like a proper market and police station, as the new market building is not yet operational, while work on the police station is stalled for unknown reasons.
The Quepem market building, constructed by the Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA), was inaugurated three years ago, but since the complex has not yet been handed over to the Quepem Municipal Council, it is not operational.
Quepem Municipal Council Chairperson Suchita Shirwaikar had boldly announced that the market would be operational from August 2023, but it has remained just an empty promise.
A shop owner from Quepem, who did not want to be named for fear of harassment by the authorities, said, “It is quite ironic that the market building was constructed using crores of public money, but is yet to be opened to the public. Has not been opened for.”
“It is true that I had said that the market complex would be operational by August last year, but I am helpless because GSUDA has not yet handed over the constructed complex to us,” Shirvaikar said.
The construction of a new building for the Quepem Police Station began three years ago with much fanfare. But now the work has been stopped without giving any reason. But, people believe that the work is at a standstill because the government does not have funds.
There is a building in the city, where most of the government offices like Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, Public Works Department, Transport Department and even Town and Country Planning Department are located.
Additionally, there is a park right in the center of Quepem and a very good post office. However, due to the absence of a market it resembles an overgrown village, as fish, vegetables and fruits are sold on the roadside.
