MARGAO
When the PWD (Division) Roads posted notices on the gaddas operating in the road-widening area near the Comba railway crossing about two years ago, many believed the railway crossing junction would soon be rid of the traffic obstruction caused by the gaddas.
Hopes were raised a month ago when Margao Municipal officials removed benches and other materials of the gaddas under the supervision of Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz, Municipal Engineer Deepak Desai, and other senior officials.
However, the activity currently underway near the Comba railway crossing gives no indication that the gaddas will be removed or relocated to another area to ease the traffic congestion. In fact, to the shock and surprise of locals and representatives of the adjoining educational institutions, the gaddas are being rearranged in the same place with fabricated materials. Fabricated poles have replaced the wooden and bamboo poles at the site, indicating that the gaddas are here to stay.
When 'The Goan' contacted senior Margao municipal officials to clarify whether the gadda owners have received permission to erect fabricated poles, the officials stated that the civic body had only told the gadda owners to restrict the area of their business to the size earmarked by the body. “The gaddas are not being given any permission to use fabricated poles. We will wait for the market inspectors to submit a report on any violations by the gadda traders before initiating action,” the official said.
Questions, however, have been raised in local circles about whether the MMC can allow the gadda traders to rearrange their structures when the PWD issued notices two years ago for their removal due to their illegal occupation of the road-widening area.
Further questions have been raised about how the fabrication work at the gaddas near the railway crossing escaped the attention of PWD Roads officials, given that the department had issued notices for their removal just two years ago.
