MARGAO
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai’s pet projects proposed in Fatorda had their way at the Margao Municipal Council meeting on Friday, but not before the proposals came in for questioning from the opposition BJP, including the proposal proposing to name the Ravindra Bhavan road as “Forward Avenue” over last year’s proposal to name the road as Manohar Parrikar road after the former Chief Minister.
Ruling Goa Forward and Congress-backed councillors bulldozed their way to support as many as four projects pitched by the Fatorda MLA, including naming of the Ravindra Bhavan road as “Forward Avenue”, setting up of Opinion Poll memorial at the Ravindra Bhavan circle, besides the proposal to set up a Food Court/trailer park on the ring road, near Colva circle.
The opposition BJP-backed councillors comprising of Camilo Barretto and Dr Sushant Kurtarkar expressed their reservations on these projects, but the ruling Margao Civic Alliance backed councillors were in no mood to compromise on the projects, giving their approval for the projects with majority numbers.
When Goa Forward councillor Nemesia Faleiro tabled a resolution to name the 1.75 km Ravindra Bhavan circle-Arlem circle road as “Forward Avenue”, councillor Camilo pointed out that the same road was named after former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar last term. Chairperson Lyndon and the ruling councillors pointed out the BJP had opposed naming of the road after Manohar Parrikar and hence argued the proposal was later dropped.
Nemesia later proposed setting up of the Opinion Poll memorial near the Ravindra Bhavan circle, but Camilo demanded to know why the Council is in a hurry to approve these projects.
When the proposal for the Food Court/Trailer Park was moved by Madel ward councillor Francis Joanes, Dr Sushanta Kurtarkar lodged her strong objection, by pointing out that illegal gaddas and anti-social activities are taking place on the road. Another BJP councillor Sadanand Naik sought clarification on the food court concept.
The ruling councillors, however, went ahead with the proposal with a majority.
The opposition also raised questions on the wall clock tower at the Old market, an initiative of “We for Fatorda”.
