PANAJI
A citizens' collective, People for Panjim, on Sunday welcomed the Captain of Ports (CoP) decision to withdraw the tender for the operation and maintenance of the controversial ship-shaped terminal building on the Mandovi riverfront, but warned the government against reviving the proposal in the future.
Addressing a press conference, members of the collective demanded the demolition of the cafeteria and amphitheatre constructed at the terminal complex, alleging that their presence was contrary to assurances given before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik, a member of the collective and one of the petitioners who had challenged the terminal building project, said the withdrawal of the tender was a welcome step. However, he cautioned that the government should not mislead the public by reissuing a similar tender at a later stage.
Naik said the group would not hesitate to return to court if fresh attempts were made to privatise the facility.
The collective cited the NGT's September 30, 2022 order, which, according to its members, had recorded the CoP's submission that plans for the cafeteria and amphitheatre at the site had been dropped. The group questioned how the facilities came to exist despite that assurance and called for their removal.
Members also expressed apprehension that the government could soon float a fresh tender for the terminal's management. They urged authorities to publicly clarify their future plans for the riverfront facility.
The group further demanded the removal of casino signboards and promotional displays installed on the facade of the terminal building. It also called for the restoration of unhindered pedestrian access along the Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, arguing that public access to the waterfront should not be compromised.
Meanwhile, CCP councillor Jack Sukhija also welcomed the withdrawal of the tender. He also questioned what he described as a growing trend of commercialising public land along the Mandovi riverfront.
Sukhija noted that large stretches of the riverfront had been acquired decades ago primarily for sports, recreation and public use, and said these spaces should be preserved for the benefit of citizens rather than converted into commercial ventures.
