VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has unanimously decided to demolish the wall and gates built by the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) that obstructs public access to the Baina flyover.
All 25 ward councillors supported the resolution during a council meeting on Thursday.
MMC Chairperson Girish Borkar strongly condemned the actions of the MPA. “Soon after the inauguration of Loop 2 of the Baina flyover, MPA audaciously constructed a wall to block public access. Their officials misbehaved with us and refused to apologise when asked. The council has thus decided to assert its power to protect public interest.”
Borkar clarified that the council sees no need to issue a notice to MPA before proceeding with demolition, citing the wall’s illegality.
Councillor Deepak Naik raised concerns over a similar issue with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). He pointed out that GSL was permitted to construct a new building under the condition that its compound wall would be shifted inside to prevent traffic congestion. However, the company has failed to comply.
“The road in front of GSL has become a traffic bottleneck, and lives have been lost due to this. Despite assurances, GSL has neither demolished the wall nor sought permissions before operating from the new building,” Naik stated.
The council has now resolved to conduct an inspection and halt operations at the new GSL building until compliance is ensured.
The MMC postponed its budget meeting to address these pressing issues. Other topics discussed included Vaddem Lake where the MMC Chairperson Girish Borker said that if the church is unable to maintain the lake’s cleanliness, the municipality may hand over its upkeep to a private entity.
The council raised strong objections against unauthorized cremations in Hindu crematoriums without municipal permission. The issue of providing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the regularisation of houses on Housing Board Colony land was also taken up for clearance.
