Margao: More than a year after the transport department floated a tender to redevelop the Kadamba bus stand at Margao on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, the Rs 250-crore project remains stuck awaiting govt clearance.The project, tendered in Sept 2025, envisages a transport hub combining a bus terminal and commercial complex under a design, build, finance, operate and transfer model. The concession period was proposed at a minimum of 33 years for the bus port facility and 57 years for the business complex, after which the facilities would revert to govt free of cost.The planned facility was to have around 650 parking spaces, air-conditioned waiting lounges, a Kadamba Transport Corporation depot, fuel station and workshop. However, no work has started.The proposal has also faced political opposition. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said he would not allow the bus stand to be developed under the PPP model, calling it a “scam” and warning of a public agitation. “We want a bus stand, not some grand five-star hotel and other things,” he had said, adding that govt could undertake the redevelopment using its own funds.Chief minister Pramod Sawant reiterated the plan in his budget speech in March, announcing that bus terminals at Margao, Mapusa and Vasco would be redeveloped this financial year at an estimated Rs 745 crore.Margao MLA and PWD minister Digambar Kamat said he was unaware of the project’s status as it came under the transport department. “I have no idea about its status, as it comes under the transport department. They will inform me once things start moving, but so far I have no knowledge of its progress,” he said.Director of transport Arvind Khutkar confirmed that the proposal was awaiting clearance. “The proposal has been tendered and is pending approval from the finance department,” he said.The delay adds to a project saga spanning more than a decade. Then chief minister Kamat laid the foundation stone for an “ultra-modern transport hub” in June 2011. The 16-acre project was to include a bus stand, retail mall, hotel, corporate block and parking, but never moved beyond the planning stage.In July 2022, govt told the assembly it was “exploring the possibility” of taking up the project through PPP. In Jan 2023, it said it had sought the Union minister’s intervention to develop bus stand properties.The existing bus stand, built as a temporary structure in 1989, continues to serve as a key transit hub for Margao and connections to Maharashtra and Karnataka.
