Team Goemkarponn
Margao: After sustained pressure from local citizens and civic groups, the Goa government and the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) will hold a public presentation of the Draft Master Plan 2041 for Margao city. The presentation is scheduled to take place on June 19, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Margao Municipal Council hall.
Convener of the Margao Block Congress and Shadow Council for Margao, Savio Coutinho, expressed satisfaction over what he described as a “victory for public participation.” He urged all stakeholders, residents, and civil society groups to attend the presentation and assess for themselves what aspects of the plan are beneficial or detrimental to the city.
Coming down heavily on local MLA Digambar Kamat, Coutinho alleged that the BJP defector was the “mastermind” behind efforts to push the plan through without adequate public scrutiny. “On January 28, 2024, a closed-door presentation was made only to MMC councillors, and even then, just 25% were present,” Coutinho claimed.
He further stated that after objections were raised, a second presentation was quietly organized at Hotel Metropole, attended largely by real estate developers. “When public-spirited citizens attempted to attend, they were denied entry,” Coutinho alleged.
According to Coutinho, it was only after multiple complaints to the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) and a series of RTI applications that the authorities relented and agreed to host a public presentation. “This decision is welcome, though overdue,” he said.
He also demanded that the Draft Master Plan 2041 be uploaded on the recently launched Margao Municipal Council website, and that the timeline for filing objections and suggestions be clearly notified.
“The people of Margao deserve transparency and inclusion in decisions that will shape the future of their city,” Coutinho added.
