“There is also the question of timing. Political observers cannot ignore that ambitious infrastructure projects tend to reappear conveniently before elections. Announcing a Rs 251-crore project with modern lounges and parking spaces makes for attractive headlines and gives the impression of a government committed to progress. But how much of it will move beyond blueprints and press releases before 2027? Margao’s residents, who have been waiting decades for a functional upgrade, deserve more than election-season tokenism.
For the people who actually use the bus stand, the daily experience is far removed from the glossy promises. Commuters describe the terminal as unsafe during the monsoons, with leaking roofs turning waiting areas into puddles.”
The Margao bus stand has once again found itself at the centre of promises and plans. This time, the government has announced a new Rs 251-crore project to redevelop the terminal on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The proposal comes with an array of modern amenities: air-conditioned lounges, multiple bus parking bays, and facilities that, on paper, look like a drastic improvement over the crumbling state of the existing structure. But for Goans, particularly those in Margao, this announcement triggers a sense of déjà vu. Haven’t we heard this before?
It is worth remembering that the Margao bus stand has been the subject of countless promises across successive governments. Grand designs have been unveiled, foundation stones laid, and models displayed, yet the ground reality remains the same — an overcrowded, chaotic, and poorly maintained hub that fails both commuters and operators. In 2008, under the Digambar Kamat government, a major redevelopment plan was announced but never took off. In 2013, another blueprint was floated under the Congress-led government, again touted as a PPP venture.
The BJP-led regime later revived the plan with a new twist in 2016, promising a state-of-the-art complex, but little progress was made beyond ceremonial announcements.
As recently as 2019, the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation prepared yet another proposal, which also faded into obscurity. The fact that this renewed plan is surfacing just as Digambar Kamat takes over as PWD Minister, with elections two years away, raises unavoidable suspicions about whether the bus stand has become more of a political pawn than a genuine development priority.
The PPP model itself is not new to Goa. In theory, it allows the state to deliver infrastructure without stretching its limited finances by roping in private partners to invest and develop in exchange for long-term commercial rights. In practice, PPP projects in Goa have been marred by delays, disputes, and often an imbalance where private profit overshadows public service. For instance, the Mapusa bus stand project, also conceived under PPP, has dragged on for years without delivering what was promised. Why should commuters believe that Margao will be any different?
There is also the question of timing. Political observers cannot ignore that ambitious infrastructure projects tend to reappear conveniently before elections. Announcing a Rs 251-crore project with modern lounges and parking spaces makes for attractive headlines and gives the impression of a government committed to progress. But how much of it will move beyond blueprints and press releases before 2027? Margao’s residents, who have been waiting decades for a functional upgrade, deserve more than election-season tokenism.
For the people who actually use the bus stand, the daily experience is far removed from the glossy promises. Commuters describe the terminal as unsafe during the monsoons, with leaking roofs turning waiting areas into puddles. Vendors complain of poor facilities and a lack of proper waste management, which makes the environment unhygienic.
Drivers and conductors speak of chaotic traffic movement, where buses jostle for space and passengers are left scrambling in the middle of moving vehicles. Students who travel daily from villages to Margao say the lack of basic amenities such as clean toilets or shaded waiting areas adds unnecessary hardship to their commute. For them, promises of air-conditioned lounges mean little when even the basics have been ignored for years.
Another concern is accountability. The government often announces projects with fanfare, but public scrutiny fades once the announcements are made. How many times have plans for the Margao bus stand been floated? At least half a dozen in the last two decades. Some were shelved due to lack of funds, others fell apart due to disputes with private developers, and some simply faded away in the political shuffle. The repetition of these cycles creates a trust deficit that no glossy presentation can erase.
That said, the need for a modern Margao bus stand is unquestionable. Margao is South Goa’s commercial capital and a critical transit point for both locals and tourists. The current bus stand is woefully inadequate, with leaking roofs, poor sanitation, and congested traffic flow. If done right, the project could transform not just the commuting experience but also boost local commerce, tourism, and connectivity. But for that to happen, the focus must be on execution, not announcements.
Transparency will be key. Citizens have the right to know the details of the PPP agreement, including how long the private developer will control commercial spaces, what revenue-sharing model is being proposed, and what guarantees exist to ensure timely completion. Without this clarity, the project risks becoming another private real estate venture masquerading as public infrastructure.
At the heart of this issue lies a larger question: why should something as basic as a functional bus stand require multiple decades, political cycles, and repeated promises? It reflects poorly on governance that what should have been a straightforward civic improvement has become a recurring election gimmick. If the government is serious this time, it must set clear timelines, publicly share project details, and involve local stakeholders in monitoring progress.
Goans are tired of being shown artist impressions of gleaming buildings while their daily reality is one of potholes, leaks, and filth. The Margao bus stand deserves better, and so do its people. The government must prove that this is not just another pre-election stunt but a genuine commitment to development. Until then, scepticism is not just natural — it is necessary.
