The iconic Margao Municipal garden where the Municipal Council has proposed a coffee shop when a host of restaurants are dotting around the garden.
MARGAO
A Nana Nani Park proposed over the years for the elderly to spend their leisure time with their grandchildren is yet to take shape till date in the iconic Margao Municipal garden.
Instead, a controversial proposal – a coffee shop inside the Municipal garden atop the structure which plays host to Lord Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, is now proposed in the garden, throwing up a host of questions, including the moot question, what purpose would it serve by setting up a coffee shop when a host of coffee and tea outlets are located around and whether any party has knocked the doors of the civic body with the coffee outlet proposal.
In fact, as civic chief Damu Shirodkar kept the coffee outlet proposal for discussion, councillors saw red to the proposal to set up a coffee shop inside the iconic Margao Municipal garden in what is now called as the Agha Khan Park. In fact, ruling BJP councillor Camilo Barretto came out strongly against the proposal, saying he is strongly opposed to the proposal. He even told the chairperson to go for division of votes to find out how many councillors are in favour of the proposal.
While one of the councillors even suggested setting up a restaurant inside the garden, former Municipal Chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar sounded a word of caution. He warned the council not to rush with the coffee shop proposal, reminding that the garden properties are gifted properties and the proposal may throw up legal issues.
Councillor Francis Joanes demanded to know commercial activity can take place in a garden zone, while councillor Mahesh Amonkar sought to know whether the coffee shop will have provision for vehicular parking.
Another councillor warned that under the guise of a coffee shop, the bidder may sell beverages, vitiating the atmosphere in the garden which plays host to children’s play items. Ganashyam even cautioned that the garden is frequented by anti-socials, resorting to sex and drugs trafficking, and the coffee shop atop the structure may come in handy for these elements. “The Council should go ahead with the repair and renovation of the structure inside the garden. As far as the coffee shop is concerned, the Council should see all aspects, including legal and social aspects before floating tenders inviting bids to set up a coffee shop,” he added.
When the Chairperson argued that the coffee shop may help generate revenue for the civic body, Ganashyam countered saying there are other modes to enrich the Municipal coffers.
After giving the councillors a patient hearing, Chairperson Damu Shirodkar said the Council will go ahead with the proposal only after studying all aspects and after bringing back the proposal before the Council.
