Master Plan 2041 for Margao runs into rough weather over lack of transparency

MARGAO
Questioning the manner in which the Master Plan 2041 for Margao is sought to be implemented without transparency, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Saturday asserted that not even an inch of land in his constituency will be allowed to be developed commercially under the plan, warning that the government should either take the people on board or face their wrath.

Saying that agricultural fields were forcibly acquired from Fatorda two decades ago before he became the MLA under an alleged land grab scam, Sardesai claimed the powers that be are now trying to actualise the scam through a Master Plan by exploiting the acquired fields commercially.

He also dared the Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Digambar Kamat to join him for a public debate on the Master Plan at the historic Lohia Maidan.

Speaking his mind on the Master Plan 2041 which has run into rough weather over lack of transparency, the Fatorda MLA claimed even he was not invited for the power-point presentation on the master plan. “The real estate developers were all invited for the presentation on the master plan, but not a MLA representing Fatorda, which will be affected by the master plan. I want to warn  the government and Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) that people of Fatorda will not allow even one inch of land for development under the master plan as long as I am alive,” he asserted.

Reminding that three lakh square metres of land was acquired over two decades ago to push projects with vested interests under the guise of development project, Sardesai said, “That time, it was a great land grab scam by dispossessing farmers. But after, I became the MLA of Fatorda, not even an inch of the land has been allowed to be misused. In fact, I have been supporting the farmers for the last 17 years to continue cultivation on the acquired land.”

Saying that lack of inclusivity and transparency has been the hallmark of the Margao MLA, Sardesai wondered why he and the people of Margao and Fatorda were not invited for the presentation on the master plan. “There is no transparency at all. I am an elected representative, but was not invited for the presentation. I will raise it up in the Assembly session,” he added.

Raising serious question over the timing of unveiling of the master plan when the SGPDA is preparing the ODP, Sardesai said, “This is an eye wash. This is not genuine development. Only selected persons, including the real estate lobby were taken on board.”

He said any plan for the city should be sustainable and meet the needs and aspiration of the people, including a comprehensive public transport plan.