Margao's old bus stand craves beautification

Margao’s old bus stand crying for attention from the authorities.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO

Does Margao’s sprawling old bus stand figure in the list of areas identified for beautification as part of Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Digambar Kamat’s plan to spruce up the city and add aesthetics? Or, is this prime public space, nestled around the Margao Municipal garden, city’s cultural  centre Gomant Vidya Niketan and the police headquarters, destined to remain an eyesore for reasons best known to the powers that be.

Indeed, once the centre of bustle and bustle in the 70’s and early 80’s before the bus stand was shifted to the KTC bus stand, the Margao old  bus stand has been craving for attention over the years. The sprawling area right in the heart of the commercial capital resembles a symbol of neglect and eyesore.

Neither the proposed multi-level parking has come up on the Margao Municipal land till date nor have the city fathers and powers that be unveiled any plan to bring about a turnaround.

The bus stand now caters only to the buses operating from the neighbouring villages to the city.  By evening, the area doubles up as a fast food court for the much-sought after wadda-pava and rassa-omlette gaddas. A visit to the old bus stand would reveal the entire space is looking for fresh lease of life. 

When the Margao MLA descended near the Gomant Vidya Niketan to launch beautification works a month ago, cries were heard at the adjoining bus stand, seeking a face lift for the entire area. While the bus shelter is craving for attention, the eastern side of the bus stand opposite the police headquarters resembles an eyesore, with mangled remains of accident vehicles, fast food kiosks and a horticulture vegetable stall all dotting the area. 

The drains abutting the main road seemed to have not been cleaned, while the inter-locking pavers between the road and the bus stand lie damaged for want of repairs.

Bus shelter

The bus shelter on the bus stand is crying for attention. The seating arrangement is in a worst condition. Commuters doubt whether the concerned authorities have at any time spruced up the shelter and the seating arrangements. In fact, the seating platform is craving for repairs.  There are no benches at the shelter, leaving the commuters with no option than to sit on the damaged laterite stone platform. The shelter, commuters, say is of no use during the monsoons when heavy rains lash the city, with the small shelter unable to protect people from rain water.

NGO GOACAN had a couple of months ago had highlighted the plight of the bus shelter, but the ground reality remains unchanged. Neither the transport department nor the concerned department or the district authorities have stepped in spruce up the area till date.

Accident vehicle dump

The bus stand area overlooking the district police headquarters have come in handy for the men-in-uniform for dumping of accident vehicles over the years. While the police had over a year ago cleared the junk and scrap from the bus stand, accident vehicles have returned back at the bus stand once again.  The Margao police say the police station is facing space constraint to park accident vehicles, but sources say orderly parking at the bus stand will go a long away in getting rid of the eyesore.

The old bus stand has virtually become a fast food joint every evening till late hours. While there’s no dispute over the fast food activity on the bus stand, what has brought the activity under scanner is that the fast food kiosks are left at the bus stand after business hours when the owners are mandated to take the kiosks to their place of residence. Citizens and police say the space can be utilized for parking during school hours in the morning and afternoons if the kiosks are taken home by the owners. Sadly, the Margao Municipal market inspectors and the Powers that be have turned a blind eye to the ground reality. Why the Municipal authorities have not stepped in to enforce the conditions in the license remains a mystery, with sources saying the buck stops at the doorsteps of the Margao Municipal Council and those controlling the Civic body.

Garbage and litter

After the uproar and outrage over waste and litter on the bus stand a couple of months ago, the Margao Municipal Council has now stationed waste bins on the stand to facilitate the kiosk owners for waste disposal. A look at the place, however, reveals that the bins have made their presence in the area in a haphazard manner, giving a bad look. Many say the bus stand area which plays host to the fast food activity needs to be cleaned up regularly not just to maintain hygiene but to give a good look to the entire place.