MARGAO: While the newly unveiled Margao Master Plan 2041 paints a picture of a greener, more modern city, local NGO Goyche Fudle Pilge Khatir (GFPK) has claimed that there is glaring lack of transparency and community engagement in the Master Plan. This allegation comes amidst the ongoing sewage crisis plaguing the Sal River.
GFPK, who raised strong objections to the Draft Margao Outline Development Plan (ODP) 2023, has accused the authorities of ignoring their 28 concerns regarding land use, road widening, green cover and commercial zones.
It has claimed that the plan, finalised without addressing their objections, is riddled with errors and poses an irreversible threat to Margao’s environment, heritage, and health for the next eight years.
The recent revelation of the authorities’ silence on GFPK’s objections raises further alarm. “They don’t have the answers, so they want to bypass the ODP and start the Master Plan, fooling the people of Goa,” GFPK has said.
This lack of transparency echoes in the controversial Master Plan presentation, where both citizens and the press were denied entry. GFPK sees parallels with Panjim’s Smart City project, where similar secrecy paved the way for flawed implementation.
Their worries extend beyond infrastructure projects. GFPK’s vision seeks an inclusive plan that prioritizes sustainability, resilience, and the well-being of all Margaonkars. To achieve this vision, GFPK has urged the Margao Municipal Council to embrace a participatory approach. GPFK further listed out their various demands.
“There should be immediate public consultations on the Master Plan. Open discussions and feedback mechanisms are crucial to ensure the plan reflects the needs of Margao’s residents,” the GFK said. It has also demanded transparency in project selection and decision-making.
“Public access to information and clear communication channels build trust and foster collaboration,” said GPFK President Jack Mascarenhas. GFPK also stressed upon the prioritization of environmental issues.
“Sustainable solutions to the sewage crisis and robust environmental protection measures are non-negotiable,” Mascarenhas added. Their other demands were around strengthening healthcare, education, and public transportation systems.
GFPK also called for robust environmental protection safeguards the Sal River and guarantees sustainable water management and green spaces that are accessible to the public.
“Smart infrastructure and disaster preparedness measures protect Margao from future challenges,” Mascarenhas added. It may be recalled that while the Master Plan 2041 for Margao envisions a transformative urban landscape, there have been objections raised regarding the manner in which the plan was presented.
The plan proposes to introduce a bio-diversity park in Borda, serving as both a sponge park and city park. Along NH66, the government plans a Sal Riverfront pilot, redefining the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) plot along the Sal River with promenades and pavilions. A new economic district in the south of Margao is also on the horizon.
Addressing citizen queries, the plan outlines strategies for regenerating the Holy Spirit Church Area through infrastructure for pedestrians and streetscape design. Tackling issues from traffic to commercial development plots, the draft Master Plan strives to revitalise Margao.
However, as locals seek clarity, the complexity of the plan poses a challenge. The proposal spans the entire city, from Fatorda in the north to the MMC garden and markets in the centre, down to the south earmarked for economic development.
Amidst proposed changes, questions arise about transparency, prompting suggestions for public powerpoint presentations in key zones to ensure the common man’s understanding.
Notably, the plan also proposes commercial utilization of GSUDA plots acquired two decades ago.
