MARGAO
How would the proposed Master Plan for Margao consider revenue generating opportunities for the Margao Municipal Council, is a question doing the rounds in the corridors of the civic body and in local political circles.
This question assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that the Margao Municipality owns prime properties across the commercial capital, including land at the old fish market, which has now been earmarked for the multi-level parking, the iconic old bus stand and the pick-up stand, etc. Besides, the MMC owns the triangle-shape property at the Old market circle, acquired to build a complex for the displaced gadda traders, the entire parcel of land from the old market circle to the KTC bus stand and the acquired land at Malbhat, just to name a few.
Besides, GSUDA is in possession of a couple of prime properties in the commercial capital, including the acquired land admeasuring over a lakh square metres near the wholesale fish market, acquired for the controversial truck terminus; land opposite the Margao railway station acquired for a transportation centre, besides land near the KTC bus stand.
The Goan understands that the revenue generation aspect vis-Ã -vis the Master Plan came to light when the Margao Municipal Council made a formal letter to GSUDA to consider taking up the project of development of drainage network in the Master Plan.
In reply, Chief Project Officer, GSUDA Vijaykumar Honawad has informed the MMC Chief Officer that the agency has considered the project of development of Master Plan for Margao city for developing and considering revenue generating opportunities for the Margao Municipal Council, adding that the development of the drainage network cannot be considered under the Master Plan proposal.
Goa Forward chief and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai has warned that the government and GSUDA should come out clear how the Master Plan would generate revenue for the civic body. “Both GSUDA and the MMC have prime properties across the commercial capital. There’s one property in my Fatorda constituency which was acquired by GSUDA around two decades ago for the truck terminus. I along with the people of Fatorda had vehemently objected to the truck terminus before it was scrapped. I want to warn the government that any attempt to develop the property under the guise of Master Plan will be opposed tooth and nail by the people of Fatorda. Let the property be utilised for integrated farming for the benefit of the farmers of the constituency,” Sardesai asserted.
