MARGAO
Will the Margao Municipal Council take a cue from the Davorlim and Aquem Baixo village Panchayats, located on the city’s outskirts and clear the illegal structures along the roadsides, blocking smooth vehicular traffic in the commercial capital?
Well, the two village panchayat bodies headed by Sarpanch Saiesh Rajadayx and Floriano Fernandes respectively went about the job of clearing illegal gaddas and encroachments at Davorlim near the Power House junction and at the Rawanfond bridge over the last one week.
The demolition exercise was carried out by the two panchayat bodies in their respective jurisdictions with the two Sarpanchas showing the way by supervising the demolition operation. The duo is believed to have not cowed down to the pressure from vested interests as they went about the job with support from the respective panchayat members.
Welcome to the commercial capital, where gaddas stand tall along roadside, and in areas prone to traffic congestion, such as the Comba railway crossing with political patronage, throwing up a question or two for the Margao city fathers, the civic babus and the powers that be controlling the Municipal body “ why is the MMC dragging its feet when it comes to clear gaddas and illegal structures at the roadsides?
This question is also applicable for the PWD, Roads which had in the recent past issued notices for the removal of gaddas in road widening areas in the commercial capital, but later developed cold feet in clearing the structures and encroachments from the roadsides.
For, the PWD, Roads had around two years ago pasted notices on the illegal gaddas located on the road sides in the city, with directions to clear the structures within seven days, but in vain. The Goan understands that these notices were issued to the illegal gaddas during the tenure of then PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral.
The MMC will also face the question of not enforcing the licence conditions of the gaddas operating at the Margao old bus stand and the land opposite the KTC bus stand. For, the owners of the fast food gaddas and carts are all mandated to tow the carts back to their place of residence after business hours, but the civic body and the municipal workers have turned a blind eye to the rules in force.
Resultantly, the fast food gaddas are found parked at the two bus stands 24x7 right under the nose of the city fathers, municipal babus and the powers that be.
“It is hoped the Margao Municipal city fathers and officials emulate the action initiated by the Davorlim and Aquem Baixo panchayats against illegal gaddas and structures on the city outskirts. If these panchayat bodies could crack a whip against the illegalities, we fail to understand what stops the Margao Municipality to initiate similar action against the roadside illegalities,” remarked a citizen.
