Food stalls to shrink, but fears linger over future of public spaces
THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
The High Court has directed the State government to reduce the food street at the historic Vasco Children’s Park to just 5% of the park’s total area.
The order, issued on April 15, 2025, follows a public interest litigation (PIL) filed a year ago by former Congress Minority Chairman Nazir Khan, who opposed the conversion of a section of the park into a commercial food zone.
Stating that the park, dating back to 1939, is classified as a “Recreation Zone” under the Zoning Plan, Khan argued that its use for commercial activities violated its intended purpose.
The Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) and the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), in their defence, claimed that the food court was outside the main park and demarcated by a mesh fence.
However, Khan submitted 2022 Google Street View images showing a cricket pitch previously present in the same area now taken up by the food stalls.
While the Advocates argued that Clause 6A.3.1 of the Goa Building Regulations 2010 permits food stalls within parks up to a limit of 5% of the total area, the court ruled that the authorities must strictly adhere to this threshold.
“This is a partial victory for the people of Vasco,” said Nazir Khan after the verdict.
“Even after the reduction, children won’t be able to fully enjoy the park due to the constant commercial activity. Authorities could have easily chosen another spot for this food street without compromising a space meant for children’s recreation.”
Khan said that the food court currently occupies 6.2% of the park area and the MMC will have to demolish approximately 53 square metres to meet the court’s directive.
“Whether they demolish the front or the back of the food court is up to them, but I’m not happy because children will still lose out on space to play,” he added.
He also raised alarm over what he described as a growing encroachment trend.
“With current government policies, all parks and playgrounds will slowly be taken over. The government has allotted 5% of every recreation zone for commercial use, and this rule could lead to the systematic loss of children’s parks and open spaces across Goa.”
Khan also hinted at escalating the matter further.
“We have to respect the High Court’s verdict, but I may consider filing an appeal in the Supreme Court after consulting my legal team,” he said.
MMC to abide by court decision: Borker
VASCO:
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Girish Borker has said the civic body would abide by the court’s decision.
“We had received a plan from the government to establish a food court that would bring all food vendors to one location instead of letting them sell on footpaths. With no space available in congested Vasco city, we used an open area next to the Children’s Park which was earlier being misused by anti-social elements,” said Borker.
He added that the food court project was implemented through GSUDA and was halted after the PIL was filed.
“Now that the court has given its verdict, we will demolish any excess construction. Our aim is not to promote illegality but to provide a clean, centralised food court where around 12 local vendors can operate and people can enjoy a variety of delicacies in one place.”
While the court’s order has offered a temporary compromise, the issue has spotlighted growing tensions between urban development and the preservation of public recreational spaces.
