The primary parking facility at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) ground in Fatorda, Margao, has become a significant point of public anger. Instead of offering convenience, it is now a source of health and safety risks due to accumulated waste and debris, creating hazardous conditions for daily users.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Neglect
Regular users of the parking lot have expressed deep frustration over its rapidly deteriorating state. The problem intensifies sharply in the days following commercial events held on the grounds. Margao resident Rahul Chandawarkar pointed out the core issue, stating that the SGPDA earns substantial revenue by renting out the car park for numerous melas, exhibitions, and fairs throughout the year. However, he criticizes the authority for consistently failing to clean up the garbage littered after each event concludes.
Chandawarkar highlighted the direct danger to vehicles, noting, "All sorts of debris, nails, and sharp objects are strewn all over the parking area." This negligence forces residents to navigate a minefield of potential punctures and damage to their vehicles simply for using a public facility.
Authority Faces Tough Questions
Echoing the residents' concerns, former chairperson of the Margao municipal council, Savio Coutinho, raised critical questions about the SGPDA's management. He questioned the logic of charging huge sums for trade exhibitions while refusing to allocate resources for post-event cleanup. Coutinho emphasized the lack of accountability, asking, "When they charge huge sums of money for trade exhibitions, why can’t they clean up the ground after the event is over?"
He revealed an even more alarming aspect of the damage. "What’s worse," Coutinho added, "is that the newly laid hotmix carpet on the ground is left riddled with holes dug up for erecting poles and props for the shed and the stalls." He expressed disbelief at the permission granted for such destructive activity on a freshly paved surface, questioning the oversight and planning involved.
Mounting Discontent and Demand for Action
The situation has led to growing discontent among the local community in Margao. The parking lot, a vital public amenity, is being viewed as a symbol of neglect and poor management by the authorities. The complaints underscore a pattern where revenue generation from public spaces is prioritized over their maintenance and the safety of citizens. Residents are now demanding immediate and systematic action from the SGPDA to ensure thorough cleaning after every event and to implement measures that prevent damage to the infrastructure. The call is for the authority to uphold its responsibility to the public who depend on these facilities daily.
