MARGAO
In yet another twist and turn to the Costa ground saga, the Margao Municipal Council has resolved to ask the South Goa Planning and Development Authority to change the zone of the ground from C-1 Commercial to a playground.
The decision comes in the wake of the firm demand made by Aquemkars to retain the Costa ground for posterity by acquiring a piece of the land to cater to the recreational needs of the local populace. Tuesday’s MMC resolution, however, is contrary to the resolution adopted by the civic body around five years ago when it issued a construction license for a residential/commercial project following a request from the owners Ms Costa & Costa company.
The issue had figured at today’s council meeting when the councillor representing Aquem area made a forceful plea to the body to adopt a resolution to acquire land admeasuring 6300 square meters out of the total land admeasuring 9630 square meters. The proposal, however, did not find favour with the civic body after councillor Rupesh Mahatme suggested that instead of acquiring the land in question, the council should write to the SGPDA to change the zone of the ground before the finalization of the Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao. Mahatme contended that change in zone would be a better option given the huge costs involved in land acquisition when the civic coffers are almost empty.
It was finally resolved to request the SGPDA to change the zone of the Costa ground from commercial to ground in the Margao ODP.
This latest twist by the civic body comes half a decade after then city fathers on June 16, 2011, had granted license to Ms Costa & Costa for a residential/commercial project, triggering protests from the local residents, who demanded that the lone recreational ground in the Aquem area be retained for the local populace.
Following the protests, the council on June 24, 2011, deliberated on the opposition from the local residents and resolved to revoke the construction license. The matter did not end there. Aggrieved by the council order dated August 4, 2011, revoking the construction license, Ms Costa & Costa knocked the doors of the High Court, which later quashed and set aside the order of the civic body revoking the construction license.
At this stage, the council resolved to acquire the entire Costa ground area and put forth a proposal before the Director of Municipal Administration. Costa company, however, has challenged the resolution No 3902 to acquire the ground before the Director of Municipal Administration.
Says Adv Rajiv Gomes: “The residents of Aquem wanted the civic body to pass a resolution to acquire a portion of the Costa ground area. But, since the civic body has resolved to request the SGPDA to change the zone from commercial to ground, let us wait and see.”
Another resident Andrew Sequeira hoped the council’s resolution will help retain the Costa ground for posterity. “I hope the council will forward today’s resolution to the SGPDA before the expiry of the process of hearing of objections to the ODP,” he said.
