Team Herald

MAPUSA: The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has decided to build a parking lot behind the government complex at Morod area of the town to solve its traffic woes.

This was decided at a special meeting of the council held on Friday. Besides, the civic body has also decided to install high-mast lamps in areas surrounding the municipality. The land identified for building a parking lot is owned by one Arun Rao, who has reportedly agreed to lease out 3,806 sq mts of the same to the municipality. MMC Chairperson Ryan Braganza said, “Arun Rao is willing to lease out a portion of his land to the municipality for building a ‘pay parking’ lot; and the income will be shared between the owner and the municipality.”

“We will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the owner of the property for a period of three years. The owner of the property will get 60 percent of the income from parking, while the municipality will receive 40 percent. This topic was already tabled at the last ordinary meeting,” Braganza informed the meeting. Councilor Sandeep Falari suggested that the municipality obtain an NOC from the TCP to take up the filling of the low lying field for building the parking lot. He also suggested that the entry and exit points will have to be decided before going ahead with the plan.

“Rs 10 could be charged on four-wheelers and Rs 5 on two-wheelers,” Falari suggested.

According Councillor Franky Carvalho the area under consideration would be able to house approximately 800 two-wheelers and 160 four-wheelers.

Braganza also informed the meeting that the civic body has received a proposal from the tourism department for installing high mast lamps in areas surrounding the municipality. This was unanimously agreed to by the councillors.