The Margao Congress Block has warned that citizens may be con strained to initiate con tempt proceedings against the Goa State Infrastruc ture Development Corpo ration (GSIDC), the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), and the Public Works De partment (PWD) if what they termed as govern ment-sponsored encroach ments on the Margao Ring Road are not immediately stopped. Congress convener Sav io Coutinho, addressing the media along the Ring Road, was joined by party leaders Radha Kavlekar, Clifford Dias, Iftiyaz Shaik, Aziz Shah, Camilo Camara, and Anwar Naroo. Coutin ho strongly condemned the development work being undertaken in the guise of constructing a promenade and setting up 27 kiosks (gaddas) along the stretch from KRC Railway Sta tion/Fire Station to Power House junction. He alleged that the project is in con tempt of High Court Order 148/1997. Coutinho highlighted that this stretch of the ring road has already seen sev eral tenders’ worth crores of rupees, but none of the works were fully complet ed despite funds being claimed. Initially, the PWD developed the southern side of the road with a footpath and an eight-me tre-wide carriageway. Subsequently, a GSIDC tender meant for con structing footpaths lead ing to the railway over bridge was used to build the northern side footpath and prepare the road base. However, the work, which required only asphalting to complete, was reportedly “foreclosed.” A later tender, titled “Im provement and widening of road from Khareband Bridge to Rawanfond Cir cle via Daivadnya Bhavan and Power House Circle to Apollo Victor Hospital” at a cost of Rs 12.50 crore, was only partially execut ed—from Victor Hospital to the Konkan Railway rear gate—while GSIDC report edly claimed 60% comple tion. The remaining work was never undertaken, Coutinho said. He added that the pro posed development, which reduces the road width from 20 metres to just seven metres, could severely impact traffic flow, especially near the Margao Railway Station, a critical junction. The Hin du community of Aquem, awaiting the Ganesh Tem ple, could also face chal lenges due to congestion caused by the reduced carriageway. Coutinho alleged that the construction of 27 kiosks appears to be a politically motivated project, aimed at creating a vote bank at the cost of public funds and government land. He demanded the withdrawal of MMC and PWD consent and an immediate halt to the ongoing work. Echoing Coutinho, party leader Damodar Onskar cautioned citizens against being lured by promises of kiosks, stating that the project is illegal and legal action will be pursued. Coutinho warned that fail ure to comply would com pel the party to initiate contempt proceedings in the High Court.
Congress warns of contempt petition over Margao Ring Road works
