MARCOS GONSALVES
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MARGAO: The thousands of square meters of land acquired for Renewable Energy Education Park, and later transferred to Sports Authority for Cycle Velodrome in wake of National Games is now turning out to be an abandoned property, which is located near the South Goa District Court.
Shockingly, Herald reveals that both the concerned authorities that is Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) and Sports Department are unaware about under whose possession is the land presently.
GEDA officials justified that the file pertaining to the said land is not with the department, wherein the Director of Sport Department pointed out that the GEDA had taken back the possession of the land. However, the citizens are demanding to return the unutilized land to the original owners, if the government is not interested in making best use out of the acquired land.
The Goa Energy Development Agency had tendered works on the manufacturing of exhibits at the Education Park in 2010, but nobody knows what happened about those exhibits. It was also announced at that time, by the then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, that the civil works of the park building would start soon, since the land was already acquired by the government at Old Market adjacent to the District and Sessions court building.
The cost of the project was pegged at Rs 2.25 crore and was to be named as the “Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Education Park”. The project was funded by the Central government. Foundation stone for the Park was laid by then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on August 20, 2009 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
“The land in question was specifically acquired by the State Urban Development Agency for the purpose of setting up the Non-Renewable Energy Park when Kamat presided over the Urban Development Ministry during the Parrikar regime. The acquired land, however, remained unutilised since its acquisition for more than half a decade prior to the laying of the foundation stone”, said Savio Coutinho, former Chairperson Margao Municipal Council.
Speaking to Herald he said it was also projected that the park would not only expect to give a big boost to students but would serve the dual purpose of promoting tourism.
Savio informed that the GEDA Agency had also received 50 per cent of the grants sanctioned by the center. The balance amount was supposed to come upon the commencement of the works. The Park was being jointly funded by the central and state government on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis.
However, in the later stages, it was proposed that the land was allotted for the Cycling Velodrome in order to boost the cyclist of the state, in wake of National Games which were supposed to be held in Goa.
Shockingly, neither the Renewable Energy Education Park nor the Cycling Velodrome is seen at the site, but one can witness the area turning out to be a mini-jungle with all bushes.
Sanjeev Jogleker, Member Secretary of GEDA said the possession of the said land was given to Sports Authority after the proposed project of Energy Park was dropped by the government, and GEDA has not taken back the possession since then.
According to his information, the file is pending before the Town and Country Planning, he is not aware of the purpose of the same.
“Yes, the government has proposed to build a cycling velodrome at the said land but it was not able to see the reality. And hence, the possession of the land is taken back by the GEDA”, said V M Prabhudesai, Director of Sports Department when contacted.
Now, citizens are demanding to make the best use of the acquired land or return it back to the original owners.
It is also to be noted that few social activists had objected to the acquisition of the land claiming that it is a low-lying area, but nothing was taken into consideration and now the land remains unutilized for the last several years.
