Team Goemkarponn
MORMUGAO: Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) councillors, backed by local residents, on Wednesday afternoon reiterated their strong opposition to the proposed Formula 4 racing event at Sada, arguing that the densely populated area is entirely unfit for such a high-speed motorsport.
Addressing a press conference, the residents and councillors clarified that they were not opposing the concept of hosting an international racing event in Goa, but were firmly against its proposed venue at Mormugao. They urged authorities to either cancel the event or shift it to a safer, more suitable location.
Former councillor Shekar Khadapkar voiced serious apprehensions over public safety, environmental concerns, and the lack of transparency surrounding the event’s permissions. “This Formula 4 is not a prestigious event as it is being projected,” he said. “It’s a stepping stone for new drivers who participate in small circuits, not a top-tier race. We are unaware of the organisers, and even the MMC has no clarity on the permissions granted. There is genuine fear among the residents of Bogda.”
Khadapkar warned that the impact of the event could be severe. “We don’t know how many cars will participate, whether roads will be blocked, or what safety arrangements have been made. The noise generated by these high-speed cars can be deafening — so intense that it could even affect elderly people or patients. The vibrations could disturb the soil and vegetation, forcing reptiles like snakes to enter nearby homes. Such conditions can create panic among residents,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the absence of proper clearances. “These events require multiple permissions from various authorities — including the Sports Department, the International Automobile Motor Sports Federation, the Goa State Pollution Control Board for noise and air pollution, and departments like Tourism, Transport, Police, Traffic Cell, Home, and Insurance for public safety. All these need to be checked thoroughly before even thinking of hosting the race,” Khadapkar stressed.
Raising another red flag, Khadapkar said such events abroad often have gambling connections. “In other countries, a lot of betting and gambling take place around these races. We want to ensure there is no link to casinos or any money-making racket under the guise of promoting sports. The government must seek consent from the residents before allowing any such activity in Mormugao,” he added.
He also highlighted that the roads in Bogda are not designed for cars racing at speeds of up to 250 km/h. “Holding such events in a thickly populated residential area is unthinkable. This is not a playground or an open stretch — it’s a locality with schools, temples, and hundreds of homes. Instead of wasting taxpayers’ money on a commercial race, the government should use those funds to improve civic infrastructure like the garbage dumping ground, swimming pool, and other pending projects,” he asserted.
Councillor and former MMC chairperson Leo Rodrigues said the issue has been placed on the agenda for the next council meeting. “The MMC has not been informed nor granted any permission for this event,” he said. “We are not against Formula racing, but we cannot support its venue at Sada. The MLA should have taken the people into confidence before agreeing to it.”
Rodrigues also pointed out that groundwork had already started without the council’s knowledge. “Contractors have begun excavation activities even though the Chief Officer and the Dy Collector both said they were unaware. If roads, gutters, or drains are damaged, people will blame the MMC later,” he said, suggesting Verna as a more suitable venue with enough open space.
MMC vice chairperson Ramchandra Kamat and councillor Manjusha Pilankar along with other residents also voiced their opposition, saying the council would soon take a collective stand to safeguard residents’ interests and ensure no event takes place without proper permissions.
