Margao CDP withdrawn under pressure

MARGAO, JULY 15
Succumbing to opposition from various quarters, the controversial City Development Plan (CDP) prepared by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) for the Commercial Capital has been finally withdrawn at the instructions of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.
The plan and the charts put up for display at the Margao Municipality since the last few days were withdrawn on Thursday noon as BJP MLA Damu Naik and GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai joined the bandwagon for the scraping of the CDP.
In fact, the government and the Margao Municipal Council had received flak from all quarters over the controversial proposal to freeze all development in the city and creation of a business hub at the Northern entrance to the city.
It was suspected by local citizens and the City Fathers that the plan was aimed at benefiting the powerful builders lobby by the transfer of development rights to the new business hub after a freeze in the development in the existing city.
What finally hit the last nail in the coffin of the CDP were the objections raised before the chief minister by groups representing Calconda, Sirvodem, besides representations by GPCC general secretary and the Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho on Thursday morning.
Residents of Calconda this morning demanded to know how the plan has proposed building of a stand for south bound buses in the fields near the Temple. MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho led a delegation to the chief minister at his residence this morning and pointed out the discrepancies in the plan vis-à-vis Calconda and other areas.
In the meantime, Fatorda MLA Damu along with BJP councillors inspected the CDP at the Margao municipality this morning. After a glance at the plan, Damu demanded that the CDP be withdrawn immediately or threatened to take the issue to the streets.
He cited a host of irregularities in the plan and wondered whether the plan was aimed at benefiting the aam admi or the powerful builders lobby.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho told Herald that the plan has been withdrawn from the municipal hall following CM’s instructions and to ensure that the plan does not create further confusion in the minds of the people.
GPCC General Secretary Vijay Sardessai said he along with the Fatorda block Congress had requested the chief minister to withdraw the CDP since it had created confusion and doubts amongst the citizens. “It is our belief that there’s lot of misconceptions about the plan. The CDP will not serve any purpose. Where is the question of getting funds under JNNURM when the scheme is withdrawn,” Sardessai asked.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said he has directed GSIDC to withdraw the CDP in view of the discrepancies in the plan.
He said the CDP was prepared by the consultant to ensure the civic body avail of Central funds, but hastened to add that many discrepancies have come to light since the plan was displayed for public viewing.
“The CDP is a document prepared by a consultant for the GSIDC. It appears there are lost of discrepancies in the plan. I have received many complaints from citizens, including residents of Calcondem and Sirvodem,” Kamat said, adding that he has advised GSIDC to withdraw the plan.