Margao: The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has resolved to implement a pay-parking system at its developed open area near its office. This decision was taken during a board meeting held on Friday.
“We have noticed many people parking their vehicles in the tarred areas throughout the day. To address this issue, the SGPDA has decided to introduce pay parking in a small designated area initially, charging a nominal hourly fee. The system will be implemented soon,” said SGPDA chairman Krishna Salkar.
The SGPDA also finalised plans to float a tender for Sopo collection at the wholesale fish market premises by January 31. The initial tender was stalled due to a high base amount of Rs 4 crore. The revised tender will start at Rs 3 crore, and the chairman confirmed that the process has been completed to reissue the tender.
Additionally, Salkar said that the SGPDA will auction the first 15 plots of a total of 36 in Dhavali, Ponda. These plots have been pending for auction for several years. “Based on the response, we will proceed with auctioning of the remaining plots at a later stage,” he said.
The board also agreed to revise occupational fees for vendors at the retail fish market. “Earlier, vendors were charged Rs 10 per square metre per day. Now, they will be charged as per the Margao Municipal Council’s (MMC) fixed sopo rates,” Salkar added.
Regarding the ongoing land jurisdiction dispute outside the wholesale fish market, Salkar said that the land beyond the market’s compound belongs to the SGPDA. However, he said the matter would be resolved amicably and cited oversight on the part of both the government agencies. The dispute escalated recently after a verbal clash between SGPDA contractors and the MMC, necessitating intervention by the district collector and police. Efforts are also under way to recover outstanding dues from previous sopo contractors, Salkar said.
