Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: In a recent development, the High Court has directed the government to reduce the food street at the Vasco Children’s Park to just 5% of the park’s total area. The order, issued on April 15, 2025, comes in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the conversion of a section of the park into a commercial food zone.
Currently, the food street occupies 6.2% of the park’s area. To comply with the court order, approximately 53 square metres — around 270 square feet — of construction will need to be demolished.
The children’s park, which dates back to 1939, is designated as a “Recreation Zone” under the Zoning Plan. The petitioner argued that any commercial use of this space violates its designated purpose. “I had filed the PIL after the government tried to convert part of the park into a food street, affecting its recreational value,” the petitioner stated.
In their response, the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) and the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) contended that the food court lies in an open area demarcated by a mesh wire fence and is not technically part of the park. To counter this, the petitioner submitted 2022 Google Street View images showing a cricket pitch previously located in the same area now occupied by the food stalls.
While the Advocate General argued that Clause 6A.3.1 of the Goa Building Regulations 2010 permits food stalls in parks as long as they occupy no more than 5% of the area, the court directed the government to strictly follow this limit.
Former Congress Minority Chairman Nazir Khan, who spearheaded the PIL, stated, “This is a partial victory for the people of Vasco. However, even after reduction, children will not be able to fully enjoy the park due to the constant commercial activity. The authorities could have easily chosen another spot for this food street without encroaching upon a space meant for children’s activities.”
He further expressed concerns over a growing trend. “With the present policies of the government, all parks and playgrounds will slowly be encroached upon and will eventually disappear,” Khan warned.
Khan also revealed that he is considering appealing the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court and will be consulting his legal counsel on the matter.
