MARGAO
As the GSUDA-appointed consultant has finally unveiled the Master Plan 2041 for Margao, the planners and the powers that be may have to answer a simple question “ is it not the right of the citizens inhabiting the south of Margao, on the southern side of the railway line to know the proposals in the Plan when the Plan has mooted Margao South as the new economic node connected to the rest of the city via the transit loop?
A glance at the Plan reveals that the area south of the railway station is proposed to be developed as an Innovation Hub with a new residential district. The railway station is re-imagined as an Inter-Modal Transit Gateway to Margao. The new economic node is characterised by agro- tech and agro-tourism.
In fact, a hierarchal network of streets has been proposed, creating blocks with different land uses such as mixed use commercial, residential and industrial.
Besides, an innovation hub housing a range of programmes such as retail, art and culture, entertainment, incubation hub, innovation labs, hospitality and multipurpose spaces is proposed in the land designated for commercial and public use just south of the railway station.
Take note, GSUDA had acquired a parcel of agricultural land around two decades ago admeasuring around 28,000 square metres, just south of the railway station, throwing up a question whether the GSUDA plot will play host to all these projects mooted in the Master Plan or will these projects come up on the adjoining fields owned by private owners.
