Karsten Miranda
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MARGAO: Happy Birthday Margao. She turned 244 on Sunday.
Given the importance and cultural significance ce Margao has to the State of Goa, its rich history and contributions to society, citizens weighed on the journey of the beautiful town that has been home to generations and the centre of commercial business. There was consensus that Margao had so much potential and that today, while there are aspects to be proud of, the town as a whole has been bogged down by unending problems that have held Margao back.
“If Margão was a lady of the yesteryear then her distress in the above would be made vocal. As her citizens, we can speak and act on her behalf,” said the prominent artist Maendra Alvares.
“On the heritage front, a lot could and should be done. In my opinion, Margão, like many other towns in Goa, has evolved commercially. But the destruction to its heritage is sad. Some of the antiquity which has remained needs a face-lift whilst maintaining the originality. What needs to be addressed are the following: the traffic, the rampant sidewalk commerce and the garbage disposal,” Alvares added.
Others reflected on what Margao was like and what can be done.
Margao was known as Athens of Goa, as it was considered to be the intellectual and cultural capital of the State. Besides being the cradle of illustrious people, who brought honour and glory both in India and abroad, to the land of their birth, it produced people of great mettle and integrity, who were greatly regarded and respected even by the Portuguese authorities,” said columnist
Jose Maria Miranda.
“Though the city has lost much of its pristine glory and suffers from many problems like garbage, slums, traffic and parking, we must join hands with the authorities, always realizing that these are only trustees, while the city is and will continue to be ours,” Miranda added.
There were also discussions on what has gone wrong.
“City planning is difficult as density of population has to be taken care of. Somehow our planning for the city has been only vertical rise of buildings, increase of FAR and plot coverage. There is no thought into only residential areas or only certain type of commerce in certain areas. Margao, the commercial capital, has no planning for commerce,” said senior advocate Cleofato Almeida Coutinho.
“There are no bus bays anywhere and parking is not thought of. No vehicle zone beyond certain hours to facilitate trade is also not on agenda. Margao is choking with no green areas. City transport, if efficient, may discourage entry of vehicles. The SGPDA has done precious little for Margao. Conservation of heritage areas is giving way to conversion! As planners feel city means Concretization,” he added while listing out the issues at hand.
There were still some who felt that Margao still has a lot to be proud of although there was an acknowledgment that the problems could not be ignored either.
“Margao is known as the commercial capital of Goa and continues to be so. It is the epicentre of trading. Goa looks at Margao equally as a fertile location of culture, heritage and progressive thought. Margao is known for experiments in performing arts and literature. Of late, it’s turning out to be an unplanned town beset with issues of homeless migrants. Uncared and untreated waste along with traffic congestion is a big challenge,” said educationist Prabhakar Timble.
Others who have seen first-hand how decisions have been taken also shared their point of view.
“The planners of the past surely need to be commended. The most positive aspect in the development of this city can be seen during the beginning of 1900’s. At this time the Camara de Salcete building, presently the Margao Municipal Council building was shifted at the present location. The road network planned at the time of bullock carts, bicycles and a very few motor vehicles, 100+ year’s back, is still catering to the vehicular population of today,” said Savio Coutinho, former Margao Municipal Council Chairperson.
“Unlike today, where a ring road planned 35 years back is still waiting for completion. While the construction of the multi level parking facility envisaged in 2015 has failed to commence till date. The only beauty of this city, that continues to add the classy look, and a heritage look, is the Comba/Abbe Faria Road area, the Holy Spirit Church/Borda areas. Indeed the owner’s of these ‘jewels’ of Margao deserve all the credit for maintaining their houses so well, despite no support from the government,” he added.
“However our 13 year old dream to preserve the Old Municipal building at Old market, and the ancestral house of Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes, sadly, remains a dream. Over the years we have seen the City of Margao change very drastically. The present worry of Margao is the rapid changeover, with the development of slums all over the town,” said Coutinho.
On a concluding note, noted fadista, Sonia Shirshat shared her views. “Margao has a charm of her own. The old architecture houses, the local food options, cultural venues, markets etc. She does have a lot of potential for development and growth. Probably the few things she would regret are the chaos due to parking and planning issues, not having a starred hotel within the city, missing out on good quality tourism probably because of her coastal neighbours!” she added.
As a fadista she would know a thing or two about lament and reminiscences of romance.
