MARGAO
For decades, Margaokars have taken pride in saying that the city is blessed with three large open spaces — the old bus stand, the old fish market, and the pick-up stand — which, if properly developed, could go a long way in addressing the chronic parking shortage plaguing Goa’s commercial capital.
The proposal to construct a multi-level parking facility at the old fish market had therefore been welcomed by citizens and traders alike. The project was viewed as a practical solution to ease congestion and meet the parking needs of motorists, especially shoppers visiting the New Market, Gandhi Market, and the Margao Municipal Building for official work.
At the same time, hopes were high that the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) would pursue a second multi-level parking project at the old bus stand. Such a facility was expected to cater to the growing parking requirements of visitors to the Margao Police Station, the South Goa District Police Headquarters, the city’s premier cultural centre, Gomant Vidya Niketan, the Head Post Office, the Old Collectorate housing several government departments, and the iconic municipal garden.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (GSIDC) proposal to redevelop the sprawling old bus stand by relocating fast-food vendors and other gaddas to the site after the closure of the bus stand, however, has now raised fresh questions about the future of the long-pending parking project.
Citizens are asking whether the redevelopment plan effectively signals the end of the multi-level parking proposal that was first conceived nearly 26 years ago. More importantly, concerns are being voiced over whether converting the prime municipal property into a hub for food stalls and kiosks would permanently eliminate the possibility of utilising the site to meet the city’s future parking demands.
“What exactly was resolved by the MMC is not in the public domain. Moreover, the councillors have completed their term and are no longer in office,” remarked a concerned citizen. “It is in the larger public interest that both the council and the GSIDC place the detailed project report and all relevant plans before the public. This will help clear misconceptions and ensure transparency in decision-making,” he added.
The citizen further questioned the wisdom of earmarking such a valuable parcel of municipal land for food stalls and other commercial activities without exploiting the property for the good of the general public. “Is it prudent to accommodate fast-food vendors and other gaddas on municipal property that is considered prime real estate and whose market value could run into crores of rupees? Did the MMC or the authorities concerned assess the future parking requirements of the area before arriving at this decision? Was the value of the public land properly evaluated before the resolution was adopted?” he asked.
The concerns come at a time when traffic congestion and parking shortages continue to worsen in Margao, particularly in the city centre. With civic elections yet to be held and major decisions concerning public infrastructure under scrutiny, citizens are demanding greater transparency and a broader public discussion on the long-term use of key municipal properties.
As the GSIDC moves ahead with its redevelopment plans, many residents believe that the authorities must first clarify whether and why the city has abandoned the vision of a multi-level parking facility at the old bus stand, or whether provisions have been made to accommodate both redevelopment and future parking needs.
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Redevelopment move sparks calls for public dialogue
MARGAO: Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik on Monday objected to any hasty decision regarding the redevelopment of the old Margao bus stand site without public consultation and transparency.
In a representation addressed to the Margao Municipal Chief Officer, Naik has sought clarification regarding the recent site inspection conducted at the premises and questioned the urgency of taking major decisions when the municipality is presently under an Administrator.
The representation pointed out that while Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced plans to develop Margao under the central government’s Smart City Mission, the city presently faces pressing issues such as crumbling infrastructure, waste management concerns, sewage problems, traffic congestion, parking shortages and public safety issues. It was stressed that Margao requires a comprehensive development and rescue plan rather than isolated projects undertaken in haste.
Naik recalled that during the presentation on the Draft Master Plan 2041 held in June 2025, citizens had demanded meaningful stakeholder consultation before major decisions affecting the future of Margao were taken. He further noted that Madganvcho Awaaz had also objected to the proposed hydraulic parking project behind the Margao Municipal Building, citing concerns over the suitability, maintenance and long-term sustainability of such a mechanism in Goa’s humid, high-rainfall and saline coastal environment.
