Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 9: In a fresh attempt to decongest the capital city, the BJP-led Goa government has renewed efforts to reclaim around 5,250 sq metres of land opposite Kala Academy at Campal, which remains occupied by the Indian Army despite the Military Hospital shifting to Bambolim two years ago.
The land, currently under the control of the Army, is being eyed for a parking facility to ease traffic during major events such as Lokotsav and IFFI. Sources said the State government plans to develop either a multi-level parking structure or an open parking space to address the city's growing congestion woes.
The Military Hospital, previously operating at the Campal site, moved to a Rs 50 cr facility at Bambolim in August 2023, next to the 2 Signal Training Centre. However, the Army has not yet vacated the Campal land, which belongs to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
In addition to the Campal property, CCP has also sought State intervention to reclaim 10,600 sq metres of land currently held by the 2 Signal Training Centre headquarters. The area is presently underutilised and reserved for military vehicle parking, restricting access for locals.
Sources revealed that since Goa’s liberation in 1961, the State has handed over approximately 70.22 lac sq metres of land to the Union Defence Ministry across 118 plots. Mormugao taluka accounts for the lion’s share with 31.40 lac sq metres under defence control, followed by Tiswadi with 25.89 lac sq metres.
The CCP’s efforts to reclaim the land date back to 2004 during Ashok Naik’s mayoral term. Successive mayors, including Surendra Furtado and Shubham Chodankar, continued the push through written appeals to the Defence Ministry, especially during the tenure of late Manohar Parrikar as both Chief Minister and Defence Minister. Though Parrikar had expressed intent to relocate military establishments from Panaji, no concrete progress was made.
In 2014, the CCP passed a resolution demanding that the land occupied by the 2 Signal Training Centre be returned, but negotiations with the Army remained inconclusive. With traffic congestion mounting, the government is now determined to revive talks and put the land to public use.