Madganvcho Awaaz and Youth Leader Prabhav Naik have strongly questioned the flurry of decisions recently taken by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), including the Hydraulic Parking Project, Renovation of the Old Bus Stand, introduction of Pay Parking, and the arbitrary approval of steep municipal fee hikes. With barely six months left before the council’s term ends, such rushed actions raise serious doubts about intent, priorities, and planning.
“These ad hoc decisions appear completely disconnected from the proposed Margao Master Plan 2041 and the so-called Smart City blueprint. Is there any synchronization between these projects and the city’s long-term development vision? Or are these simply politically driven, last-minute announcements made without public consultation or technical scrutiny?” questioned Prabhav Naik.
The proposed renovation of the Old Bus Stand also raises a key concern: what will happen to the dozens of kiosks (gaddas) that have functioned there for decades? “Will livelihoods be sacrificed overnight in the name of beautification? Has there been any clarity or dialogue with the stakeholders who will be directly affected?” Naik asked.
Equally troubling is the proposal for a Hydraulic Parking system in a coastal city like Margao. “Is such a system viable given Goan weather conditions, especially high humidity and salinity? Who will take responsibility if the project fails?” questioned Naik. “We must also remember that the municipality is not even able to maintain its own vehicles,” he added.
Madganvcho Awaaz has also strongly condemned the unjustified hike in municipal fees, calling it anti-people and regressive. “At a time when citizens are already burdened by inflation and deteriorating civic services, this steep increase in fees shows the council’s insensitivity and complete disconnect from ground realities,” Naik stated.
“We call upon the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Urban Development Department to immediately review and put on hold all major decisions taken by the MMC in its recent meeting. Margao’s future cannot be mortgaged to hurried, half-baked decisions pushed in the final months of a dysfunctional council,” Naik concluded.