MARGAO: The ongoing discussion about the multi-level parking project has brought to light a crucial detail: the revised plan for the project is currently awaiting final approval from the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA).
Interestingly, there is no mention of a restaurant in this plan. Nearly 30 parking slots in the parking lot would be occupied by the visitors to the restaurant, if included in the plans.
An official from GSUDA told O Heraldo that it is up to the Margao Municipal Council to decide upon having restaurant on the top floor of the parking project building, however, it will definitely reduce the slots for four-wheelers for the general public, resulting in defeating the primary objective of parking.
It is pertinent to note that the issue with regard to having a restaurant on the top floor of the proposed parking project building was in discussion wherein general public and even few of the city fathers criticized the local MLA for suggesting the same.
Interestingly, it has been revealed that initially there was no provision for the two-wheelers in the said parking project, however, later changes were made in the plans and ground floor was reserved for nearly 137 two-wheelers and remaining four floors for the nearly 70 four-wheelers. The fifth floor will remain unused.
Officials from GSUDA, who are still waiting to proceed with the process of the project, said that the council may use the top floor for any other purposes including having a restaurant, but nearly 30 parking slots in the
parking lot would be occupied by the visitors to the proposed restaurant.
Restaurant at the top cannot be put in use without a parking area reserved for restaurant- goers. At the same time officials argue that this situation defeats the very purpose of the project aimed at providing parking space for visitors to the commercial capital.
In other words, the project’s primary goal was to ensure sufficient parking for the general public in a busy commercial area, but it appears that this objective might not be met due to the allocation of parking slots to restaurant visitors.
The proposed plan reveals some interesting facts wherein in total; there are 137 spaces designated for two-wheelers and 70 spaces for four-wheelers. On the ground floor, there is a slot for 18 four-wheelers to park, and across the first, second, third, and fourth floors, each of these levels can accommodate 13 four-wheelers.
When it comes to two-wheelers, the ground floor is set to host 78 of them and similarly, on each of the first, second, and third floors, 13 spaces are allocated for two-wheelers. The fourth floor has a provision of 20 two-wheelers.
“Without approval from the council changes cannot be made in the plans allotting the top floor for the restaurant. Instead of keeping the space vacant, it can be utilized for some purpose, aiming to generate revenue.
But at the same time having such an idea will definitely defeat the purpose of the parking project.” said the official.
