VASCO
What was projected as a landmark moment for Goa’s global sporting ambitions quietly slipped away from Mormugao after rising local resistance and last-minute intervention by the Chief Minister.
The prestigious Formula 4 racing event, originally planned along the Bogda-Sada stretch, has now been shifted to Mopa — leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and missed opportunities.
The international street race was projected as Goa’s entry into elite motorsport, with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) identifying the Bogda-Sada corridor as a suitable urban circuit that promised global visibility, tourism inflow and a significant economic boost for the State.
Unease on the ground
Even as preparations moved ahead, concerns began surfacing among residents of Bogda, Sada and surrounding areas. Locals raised fears over disruption to daily life, access restrictions, noise levels, safety issues and the long-term impact on infrastructure.
What began as quiet apprehension soon escalated into organised resistance, with residents demanding clarity on road closures, emergency access and crowd management. The project increasingly came to be viewed not just as a sporting event, but as a potential civic disruption.
The opposition gained momentum when several councillors of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) publicly objected to the choice of venue. Late-night meetings were held, slogans were raised in residential pockets, and the narrative hardened against hosting a high-speed race through a densely populated urban stretch.
The issue reached a flashpoint during a special MMC meeting, where sharp differences over the event culminated in a walkout — a moment that signalled the Formula 4 project had entered troubled territory.
CM intervenes
With tensions mounting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant personally intervened on October 11, 2025. He began with a site inspection of the proposed race route at Bogda-Sada, followed by a closed-door meeting at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, involving local residents, councillors, the MMC chairperson, and MLAs Sankalp Amonkar and Krishna Salkar.
During the discussions, explanations were made that the event was planned for just three days and that solutions had been worked out to address concerns, including alternate access routes, controlled timings and safety arrangements. Only a 400-metre congested stretch was flagged as a major challenge, with mitigation plans already proposed.
Despite the assurances, councillors and residents conveyed that resistance on the ground remained strong. After hearing all sides, the chief minister announced later that evening that the government would respect public sentiment and shift the Formula 4 race out of Mormugao, while postponing the event dates.
Sawant stated that while the government was keen on hosting international sporting events to boost tourism and the local economy, it could not proceed without people’s consent.
Opposition 'politically driven'
Soon after the announcement, MLA Sankalp Amonkar expressed disappointment, calling the development a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” lost for Mormugao. While reiterating that he stood by the people’s decision, he maintained that the opposition to the race had been politically driven.
Amonkar pointed out that the chief minister had personally reviewed the plans and highlighted the economic potential of the event, which could have benefited hotels, transport operators and local traders. He recalled how even short-duration national events hosted earlier had brought visible economic gains to the taluka.
Behind the scenes, the Formula 4 controversy also exposed an undercurrent of political friction within the ruling party in Mormugao. While the agitation was framed publicly as a civic issue, political observers noted that differences between the sitting MLA Amonkar and former minister Milind Naik and sections of the local leadership added to the intensity of the opposition, turning the project into a larger flashpoint.
Mopa takes the chequered flag
With Mormugao out of contention, attention shifted to Mopa, which emerged as a more viable alternative, due to open spaces, reduced residential congestion and easier logistical planning. The relocation ensured that Goa would still host the Formula 4 event — but without Mormugao on the starting grid.
As the dust settles, the episode stands as a reminder that even globally significant projects can derail when local concerns, civic resistance and political sensitivities intersect — pushing a high-profile international event away from Vasco’s streets to Mopa’s open stretches.
