THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
In a major development bringing relief to residents of Baina, South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus on Wednesday issued a notification to shift the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) gate and compound wall behind Pillar No. 94 at Baina.
According to the notification, the compound wall will be demolished and the gate relocated behind it. In a further assurance, the MPA has given written confirmation that the gates will never be closed except in emergency situations within port premises.
Following the notification, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar conducted a joint site inspection with Mormugao DySP Gurudas Kadam, Vasco Traffic PI Alvito Rodrigues, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Girish Borker, Ward Councillor Deepak Naik, and others.
“This is a big victory for Vascokars and the residents of Baina,” said Salkar. “The Collector’s notification puts an end to the entire controversy over the MPA gates. There were agitations, morchas, meetings, and several follow-ups before we achieved this result.”
“Initially, MPA partially agreed and reduced the compound wall height. However, after sustained efforts, they eventually have to accept our demand to shift the gate to avoid public inconvenience.”
Salkar added that a detailed discussion was held with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant where he explained how the existing gate and compound wall caused inconvenience and created a blind spot, making the area accident-prone.
“We are grateful to the CM for standing with us. He directed the Collector to get the gate shifted and implement suggestions from the traffic department. The police and traffic officials also extended their support, and the people backed our cause throughout,” he said.
“This is a win-win situation and justice delivered to the people through an amicable solution,” Salkar remarked. “The area will now have a road median, blinkers, and a speed breaker before the gate as per the traffic plan suggested by DySP Gurudas Kadam and PI Alvito Rodrigues. All these steps will ensure public safety and smooth movement.”
