Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Panaji councillor Jack Sukhija has urged the state government to reconsider the proposed redevelopment of the historic Junta House site, reportedly earmarked for a casino and hotel project, and instead develop it into a multi-level parking facility with citizen-centric amenities.
Addressing a press conference outside the iconic building on Thursday, Sukhija said the government-owned property, located in the heart of Panaji, should be utilised to solve the city’s growing parking and traffic problems rather than add to them through commercial development.
“The question we have to ask is, do we prioritise commercial development over civic amenities for the city, especially in public infrastructure? I think the answer is no. The citizens of Panaji are very clear. They have voiced their opinion and none of that includes a casino and a hotel project right in the centre of Panaji,” he said.
Sukhija stated that the site’s strategic location makes it too important to be viewed solely as a commercial opportunity, particularly when the city is already grappling with traffic congestion, double parking and a shortage of parking spaces.
He proposed that the majority of the area be developed into a multi-storey paid parking facility while incorporating limited commercial activity and other public amenities.
“What I would suggest is that the majority of the area be utilised for a multi-storey paid parking facility. There can be a little commercial activity around it, along with features such as vertical gardens, an event floor on top, retention of the observatory, and citizen-centric facilities like urban agricultural hubs or training centres for youth,” he said.
Constructed in the mid-1960s, the six-storeyed Junta House served as a major government administrative complex and also housed an astronomy centre, making it a significant post-Liberation landmark in Panaji’s civic and socio-cultural history.
Sukhija said he would continue engaging with residents and stakeholders to advocate for a redevelopment plan that reflects the aspirations and needs of Panaji’s citizens.
Longtime Panaji resident Eliath Fernandes, who also addressed the media, supported the proposal, saying the city faces a severe shortage of parking spaces.
“There is immense congestion and a lot of double parking. Junta House presents a great opportunity to create a favourable outcome for the public. This project should be utilised for a multi-storey parking facility because that is the need of the hour,” Fernandes said.
