Calls to reject Margao 2041 for people’s Master Plan

Warren Alemao taking up cudgels for the Colva and Benaulim fishermen at the Janata darbar of Goa Forward at the Margao Municipal hall on Friday.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai’s taluka level darbars culminated in his home town Margao on Friday, where he gave a call to Madgavkars to reject the Master Plan for Margao 2041 and participate in the preparation of a “people’s plan” in all the Municipal wards in the next six months.

The Goa Forward chief also slammed what he termed as ‘dadagiri’ of the government by pressurising the Municipal officials and staff to stay away from the darbar held in the Margao Municipal hall. Sardesai said he will compile all the issues raised by the people during his Janata darbars across the State and try to raise them in the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly.

Batting for People’s Master Plan for Margao, he made a fervent plea to the people of Margao to remain vigilant to foil any attempt to bulldoze with the Master Plan for Margao 2041. “The master plan for Margao has been drawn from Mumbai to suit the interest of vested interests. There’s a clear attempt to sell government fields acquired around two decades ago.  As far as Fatorda is concerned, I will not allow any of the acquired fields to be disposed of to the highest bidders. I appeal to Madgavkars to remain vigilant and participate in a people’s plan which would take care of their ward requirements,” he said.

Saying that Margao is crumbling with buildings falling down every month, Sardesai underscored the need to bring about a revolution to restore Margao’s pristine glory. “Not just the buildings, everything will crumble in Margao in the coming days. We have to bring about a revolution,” he added.

Referring to reports that Margao Municipal wards will be increased to 28 in the 2026 Municipal polls, Sardesai said, “We are absolutely not worried. If they increase the wards to 28, we will build a team of 28 dedicated leaders in all the wards, who will take the Master Plan forward,” he added.

Taking strong exception to the absence of Municipal officials at his darbar, Sardesai said he did not encounter this problem in Sanquelim and Bicholim. 

Citizens from Margao and surrounding Salcete villages raised issues affecting the people at large. Warren Alemao took up the issues plaguing fishermen at Colva and Benaulim, saying the Colva fishermen have no washroom facility. Similarly, he insisted that the government allocate land admeasuring 5,000 square metres to the Benaulim fishermen.

Artist Vishal Kakode urged Sardesai to take up in the Assembly issues staring at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, including the funds spend on the repair work.

Ex-MMC councillor Ketan Kurtarkar highlighted the plight of the people from Comba, who are yet to be rehabilitated.