Mormugao Municipal Council Approves Temporary Land Handover to Transport Corporation
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has made a significant decision to temporarily transfer approximately 9,000 square meters of land currently under its possession to the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC). This land, originally belonging to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), will be utilized by KTC until a permanent bus stand facility is constructed at Mundvel, Vaddem.
Council Approval Amidst Opposition Scrutiny
During the council meeting held on Friday, MMC Chairperson Girish Borkar confirmed the approval, stating, "The council has given approval to hand over its land to KTC on a temporary basis till the full-fledged bus stand at Mundvel, Vaddem gets constructed." However, this decision was met with immediate resistance and questioning from several councillors.
Opposition councillors raised critical concerns regarding public safety and the feasibility of establishing a temporary bus stand and depot. They argued that increased bus movement through town areas could lead to severe traffic chaos and congestion, potentially disrupting daily life for residents.
Revenue and Consultation Concerns Surface
Opposition councillor Priya Raut explicitly opposed the proposal to hand over the land to KTC. Interestingly, more than half a dozen councillors from the ruling panel also criticized Chairperson Borkar for not consulting them adequately on this matter beforehand.
These councillors demanded clarity on the financial implications, specifically asking how much revenue the municipality would earn from this temporary arrangement. They also questioned whether the Public Works Department (PWD) had been involved to evaluate the land parcel, given its status as prime property.
Assurances and Future Plans
In response to the concerns, Borkar assured the council that the land would be reclaimed by the municipality once the proposed construction at Mundvel is completed. He emphasized, "An agreement will be signed between the municipality and the KTC, considering all the aspects and giving the details of the concerns raised by the councillors."
This agreement aims to address the various issues highlighted during the debate, ensuring that the temporary use of the land is managed responsibly while the permanent infrastructure is developed.
