The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has unveiled a renewed focus on civic infrastructure, announcing plans for a new market complex while actively working to resolve persistent financial and legal issues affecting vendors and residents.
A key component of the new market project is an upcoming meeting with vendors to address long-pending rent arrears and lease disputes. Chairperson Girish Borker noted that rent dues have piled up due to minimal original rents that were later increased by the council. Interest accrued on unpaid amounts has further complicated matters. To address this, the MMC is preparing a settlement plan that aims to ease the interest burden and bring together over 100 lessees in a joint meeting to finalise outstanding dues in a mutually agreeable manner.
Beyond this, MMC is also planning to develop dedicated markets for mutton and chicken, funded through municipal resources and, if required, assistance from local MLAs. The council is pushing to operationalise completed projects like the Sada Market, now that utilities and tendering processes have been streamlined.
In a related move, the council has passed a resolution to urgently request the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) and the Public Works Department (PWD) for exemption from High Court-mandated demolitions in New Vaddem. The MMC argues that homes in the affected area were built before the road was laid out, and is seeking special consideration to avoid displacing long-time residents for road widening.
With a dual focus on infrastructure expansion and social equity, the MMC’s current agenda aims to balance development with the needs of local communities.