THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: With the removal of over 100 billboards, 18 abandoned vehicles and 12 stalls on the roadside, Calangute panchayat has shown that it means business when it comes to clearing roadside illegalities.
The drive, which started in November, will continue until the panchayat is done with the job of clearing illegalities and encroachments on footpaths.
On Saturday, the panchayat came with a crane and lifted 12 illegal stalls in Saunthavaddo and cleared Tito’s lane.
“We are only implementing the collector’s order to clear abandoned vehicles, billboards, handcarts, stalls, etc that are obstructing footpaths and movement of traffic. We will continue with the drive to free the coastal belt of such obstructions,” said Calangute Sarpanch Shawn Martins.
The drive which started at 11 am ended well passed 4 pm in the presence of local MLA Michael Lobo, Martins, Zilla Parishad member Dattaprasad Dabholkar and local panch Saluzinho Fernandes.
Earlier, the panchayat had removed more than 100 multiple signboards/billboards illegally hoisted at several places by commercial establishments.
“Most billboards along the main beach belt have been removed. The drive will continue after the Christmas week in the new year,” the sarpanch said.
Surprisingly, Calangute panchayat managed to even lift most abandoned vehicles left on the roadside at several places in the village.
It took the panchayat almost three months to complete all the formalities to take action on abandoned vehicles.
“We first issued a public notice of the plans to remove the abandoned vehicles. Later, notices were affixed on each and every vehicle giving the owner a time of seven days to either remove the vehicle or panchayat would take action as per law,” Martins said.
“There were over 70 abandoned vehicles, mostly two-wheelers. But soon after the panchayat initiated the action, most owners removed the vehicles,” he added.
So far, the panchayat has removed 18 abandoned two-wheelers and 12 four-wheelers have been identified, which will also be removed soon.
The sarpanch informed that all the abandoned vehicles have been dumped at one site, which will then be auctioned to a scrap dealer.
