Mormugao Council meeting turns heated over animal shelter, bus stand issues

VASCO  

Sharp exchanges marked the special meeting of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday as several councillors opposed a proposal to hand over the existing PFA animal shelter to a new private operator and instead demanded more funds for the current facility.

Councillors said the present management has been functioning satisfactorily despite financial difficulties and has been providing proper care and treatment to stray animals. They argued that changing the operator would create unnecessary problems.

Several members demanded that the council sanction an additional Rs 5 lakh towards maintenance, sanitation and other operational expenses so that the existing management can continue running the shelter effectively. Councillors also said that cleanliness and upkeep at the shelter could improve further if adequate financial support is provided. Ward councillor Shraddha Mahale Shetye opposed appointing a new private agency to manage the facility and said residents have been facing difficulties because the shelter is located in a residential area. She said complaints related to safety, foul smell and inconvenience to nearby residents have repeatedly been raised with the authorities.

Shetye further said that Krishna Salkar had earlier assured residents that the shelter would eventually be shifted from the locality. However, she said no concrete steps have yet been taken towards relocation despite repeated demands from residents. Meanwhile, councillor Priya Raut objected to the proposed temporary shifting of the KTC bus stand and alleged that work at the site had already begun without the required approvals and formalities being completed.

Raut also criticised authorities for not providing detailed information about the proposed new bus stand project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, stating that councillors and the public have the right to know the project details before further work is carried out.