MARGAO: People of Margao are still hoping to see their constituency emerge as one of the most developed commercial towns of Goa. However, this constituency continues to revolve around the same old issue of waste management, besides traffic congestion and inadequate parking space.
Several issues have remained pending for the several years. However, the residents have high hopes that one or another day the state’s commercial capital will be one of the best towns.
People feel that pollution due to sewage; stray dogs/cattle issues are defaming the name of the constituency.
Encroachments on public places by migrants are a major headache. All these issues continue to figure in all manifestos of every party, but solutions to the same are far from sight.
One can witness thousands of people entering the town for business purposes, as Margao is considered the major venue for trade such as vegetable, fruits, besides dealing with other commercial issues.
Chandrakant Shirodkar, a resident said this commercial town is still considered as one of the major hubs for the business people, may be for small businessmen or for the top most builder.
“I have seen Margao for the last several decades. Shockingly, this commercial town has failed to reach the height which it was supposed to attain. The issue of two markets owned by Margao Municipal Council is yet to be resolved. People are neither finding it difficult to search a place to park their vehicles, nor there is proper parking facility till date,” he added.
Savio Coutinho, convenor of Shadow Council of Margao, said, “Today if you encroach upon a public space and obstruct a passage you not only get protection, but you also get an opportunity to invite your friends and relatives to join you in the same line.”
Garbage menace is considered one of the major issues of Margao constituency for the last several decades. People feel that this issue needs to be dealt with seriously. illegal businesses operating in the heart of the town have become a thorn in the flesh for the civic body.
Margao was once considered not only a commercial town but also a cultural hub. However, as the days passed this constituency lost its cultural pride due to shifting all the major cultural events to the neighbouring constituency Fatorda.
Another issue, which raises its ugly head, is the lack of seriousness towards CCTV surveillance, which has resulted in many illegal activities. Corruption and misuse and abuse of public funds have become the rule of the day, feel Margao residents.
While at the time of paucity of funds, it is the legally assessed premises and legal business establishments that have to bear the brunt of the rise in taxes. Thousands of residential and commercial premises continue to enjoy all the services without paying any taxes.
