Want to know if public interest will be protected
Former MMC chairperson Nandadeep Raut said the opposition was not against KTC project but against the lack of information being shared with the public.
VASCO
Concerns over the proposed redevelopment of the KTC bus stand continued to grow, with residents demanding clarity and transparency from authorities before the project moves forward.
A planned protest on Wednesday was deferred after MLA Krishna Salkar recently announced that the plans and presentation on the new KTC Bus stand project would be provided soon . The locals insisted that officials first present complete details of the proposal, including land use and the extent of private participation.
Former MMC chairperson Nandadeep Raut addressing a press conference on Wednesday said the opposition was not against development but against the lack of information being shared with the public.
“We are not opposing development. But people have a right to know what exactly is being planned on such a large public space. The project must be fully transparent and should benefit citizens,” Raut said.
Residents have raised key questions on how much land will be handed over to private players under the proposed public-private partnership model and whether public interest will remain protected. They have sought a detailed presentation from authorities to understand the layout, infrastructure impact and long-term implications.
The issue had come to the fore during a press conference held in Vasco on Sunday, where Raut, along with Congress leaders and residents, expressed strong reservations about the project. It was claimed that out of nearly 29,000 square metres earmarked, around 18,000 square metres could be allocated to the private developer.
Raut had warned that the locals would stage a protest against the PPP model because such a move could lead to large-scale commercialisation in the town’s core.
“Handing over a major portion of prime land to private entities can turn this into a commercial hub, putting immense pressure on Vasco’s already strained infrastructure,” he had said.
He had also questioned the proposal to allot around 9,000 square metres of HPCL land to Kadamba Transport Corporation, stating that decisions were being taken without adequate studies. “There are no detailed traffic or safety reports in the public domain. Such decisions, if taken without proper assessment, can create serious issues for commuters,” Raut had said.
Calling for public engagement, he has now urged authorities to place the full plan before citizens. “A detailed presentation must be made. Only then can people decide whether the project is in their interest,” he added.
