Margao’s long-promised parking lot still a dream after 10 years

A wreath was placed at the foundation stone for the multi-level parking lot on Monday.

MARGAO
The decade-old saga surrounding Margao’s multi-level parking lot has come back to haunt the powers that be and the Civic body again.

Monday marked a decade since the Margao Municipal Council laid the foundation stone with much fanfare on September 15, 2015, for the multi-level parking lot in a bid to resolve the burning issue of parking plaguing the commercial capital.

Exactly 10 years down the line, residents and visitors alike continue to grapple with chaotic and insufficient parking, despite Margao being home to three prominent open spaces – the Margao Old Bus Stand, the Old Fish Market, and the Pick-up Stand.

While the MMC laid the foundation stone for the multi-level parking lot at the Old Fish Market on September 15, 2015, as of Monday—September 15, 2025—not a single pillar of that promise has materialised.

A visit to the location, barely a stone’s throw behind the MMC building, reveals a disheartening scene. Agitated citizens have placed wreaths at the forgotten foundation stone to mark its tenth anniversary—a symbolic protest. The plaque has even fallen from its pedestal, further emphasising the neglect and apathy towards the project.

The foundation stone for the project was laid with much fanfare on September 15, 2015, during the final days of then MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva’s tenure. Assurances were made that construction would begin soon. However, a decade down the line, the site at the Old Fish Market remains untouched—a neglected foundation stone standing as a silent symbol of inaction.

After D’Silva, his successor Babita Angle Prabhudesai attempted to revive the project. Tenders were floated, and a work order was issued to a Kolhapur-based contractor. However, the introduction of the GST regime put a spoke in the plans. The contractor demanded that the MMC bear the GST liability. As the dispute dragged on, the contractor eventually backed out.

Though the MMC re-floated the tender, there were no takers, with contractors citing outdated Goa Scheduled Rates as a deterrent.

The next serious attempt came under then Chairperson Lyndon Pereira, who resolved to transfer the project to the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA). The MMC even handed over funds to GSUDA for implementation. However, this too failed to give a push to the project.

With no bids forthcoming for the ramp-based parking structure, GSUDA later recommended switching to a hydraulic parking system. The MMC accepted the suggestion and submitted a fresh proposal. The revised project now awaits government approval. A GSUDA official confirmed the agency will float the tender once the green light is received.

Induction of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat into the Pramod Sawant cabinet has again raised hopes for the commencement of work on the long-delayed project. In fact, Kamat told the media a week ago that the hydraulic parking file has gone to the government for approval.

Meanwhile, Madganvcho Awaaz marked the project’s 10-year anniversary with a symbolic protest. Convenor Prabhav Naik called the foundation stone a "Monument of Incompetence and Betrayal."

“What was meant to ease Margao’s chaos has instead become a symbol of broken promises,” said Naik. “By placing a wreath today, Madganvcho Awaaz has sent a strong message—that Margao’s youth will not remain silent spectators to incompetence and deceit. This monument will stand as lasting evidence until our elected representatives finally deliver what the city truly deserves.”