VASCO
Councillors from Mormugao constituency are set to raise the issue of land restoration and repair of damaged public utilities in Bogda and Sada during the special council meeting on the Formula 4 event, scheduled at the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on October 13.
Eight municipal councillors, along with residents and former MLA Milind Naik, held a meeting on Sunday to thank Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for intervening and agreeing to shift the Formula 4 race venue from the densely populated areas of Bogda. However, councillors now plan to seek immediate restoration of the land and repair of damaged infrastructure, including broken pipelines and open gutters caused by the preparatory works for the event.
Resident Sanjay Satardekar said while the Formula 4 event was prestigious, it was impractical to host it in a residential area. “The Formula 4 race is a good initiative, but Bogda was not a feasible location. The MLA did not take people or authorities like the MMC into confidence before starting the works. As a result, roads were dug up and public infrastructure was damaged. After people and councillors protested, the issue reached the Chief Minister, who took the right decision to change the venue,” Satardekar said.
Ward councillor Prajay Mayekar said the venue change was a people’s victory, but the damage done must be rectified.
Former minister Milind Naik said the people’s united voice led to the government’s intervention. “Locals took the initiative to oppose the venue, and as more people joined, it became clear that Bogda was not suitable. The CM personally inspected the site, understood the ground realities, and finally shifted the event. We are thankful for his timely decision,” Naik said.
The councillors are expected to press for a comprehensive restoration plan, including resurfacing of dug-up roads, reinstallation of pipelines, and clearing of open gutters, when the issue comes up before the MMC on October 13.
