the goan I network
MAPUSA
On the eve of the annual Bodgeshwar zatra in Mapusa, controversy erupted over the setting up of giant wheel/amusement park for the seven-day fair during the zatra (festival) in front of the temple.
Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Clen Madeira issued a stop order cum show cause notice to the Margao-based event management operator, Kadar Sheikh, for erecting the giant/wheel and other playing equipment without obtaining necessary permission of the council.
The chief officer directed the operator to remain present in his office for hearing with relevant ownership documents on Monday.
“You have illegally started work of erection of giant wheel/playing equipment in property bearing survey no 170 near Bodgeshwar temple without obtaining prior permission from the council. You are directed to immediately stop the ongoing work,” Madeira said in his order.
Surprisingly, despite the order, the giant wheel and other playing equipment were up at the site.
Youth of Mapusa, who had a brush with the Bodgeshwar Devasthan committee members over stalls being doled out to migrants, objected to the erection of the giant wheel and other equipment.
“The erection of the giant wheel is not as per the layout plan of the devasthan committee. Secondly, in spite of the stop order, work on giant wheel and other amusement equipment is going on full swing,” Pravin Asolkar of the Youth of Mapusa said.
He alleged that there was some “setting” between the devasthan committee members, councilors and the government officials.
“Why can’t the police stop the operator from continuing the work? Where is the municipal inspector, Vikas Kambli, who was entrusted to ensure the work is stopped,” Asolkar questioned.
Siddesh Azarekar pointed out that the giant wheel/amusement equipment has been erected very close to a transformer near the temple.
“There is threat to human life. How could the devasthan committee permit the operator to erect the amusement park so close to the transformer,” Azarekar asked.
The Bodgeswar Devasthan Committee President Anand Bhaidkar informed that the amusement park operator would submit his documents to the chief officer on Monday.
“There was pressure on the chief officer. Some farmers who are owners/tenants of the fields near the temple opposed the setting up of the giant wheel. We had no option but to shift the place for the giant wheel,” Bhaidkar said.
He denied the allegations of the Youth of Mapusa and appealed to everyone to come together and work for the success of the temple zatra (feast).
