MARGAO
When the Congress government headed by then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat unveiled the ambitious plan of Margao’s ultra-modern bus terminus designed by Delhi-based Khanna Consultants, many a critic was quick to slam the proposed bus stand as an entertainment hub given the entertainment facilities listed out in the bus terminal.
Six years later the proposal is re-christened as Fatorda Margao Bus Terminal (FMBT) designed by the same Delhi-based consultant with minor changes.
A host of questions have come to the fore: will the proposed bus terminus take care of the present and future transport requirements of the city or lay more stress on retail space, including office towers, retail shopping, IT start-up offices et al given the land’s prime location? Will it be a private public partnership (PPP), hybrid, design and build basis project?
Questions have also come to the fore on the exact model the government will execute to build the ambitious project, estimated to cost a whopping Rs 350 crore.
A general feeling is gaining ground, both amongst the stakeholders as well as the authorities and citizens alike, that the proposed FMBT project should take care of not only the present, but future transport requirements of all stakeholders such as buses, both private and KTC, inter-state buses, tourist coaches, besides black and yellow taxis, motorcycle pilots, auto rickshaws.
The reason is simple. The existing land housing the bus stand is the only mega space available in the city, spread around 66,000 square meters which is exclusively utilized for public transport.
During a discussion, South Goa District Collector, Anjali Sehrawat, IAS, raised a pertinent point when she said the proposed bus terminal should not cater to the future parking requirements, but reminded all and sundry that the existing space was not only used for bus parking, but was effectively utilized by first responders during mega sporting
events at the adjoining Nehru stadium.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, however, sought to allay all apprehensions. “The Delhi-based consultant has changed the entire design to suit the requirements. Six years ago, the plan looked more like of an entertainment park. We had all criticized the plan”, Sardesai said.
The TCP Minister said the government will go forward by taking every stakeholder into confidence. “I am aware that the demands and requirements of the stakeholders exceed what has been planned by the consultant. We have been left with no option than to consolidate the area, by requesting the government to hand over the adjoining GSUDA land admeasuring 35,000 square meters”, he said, while reassuring that the aspiration of every stake holder will be met by the government.
On the mode of construction of the FMBT, the TCP Minister said the government is yet to take a call on the mode by which the bus terminal will be built. “The government will weigh various options, including inviting private players and international consultants to build the project”, Sardesai said, making it clear that government should not enter into real estate development, but should restrict itself to providing the utilities to the people.
“Government cannot take the role of builders. Its primary role is to facilitate utilities. We will strike the right balance.”
