Main access route to revered shrine freed up to ease crowd movement
Earthmoving machinery cleared roadside obstructions in Shirgao on Friday as part of safety measures ahead of the Lairai Devi festival.
BICHOLIM
Acting on directives of the North Goa district collector and under the supervision of the Bicholim taluka mamlatdar, authorities carried out a drive on Friday to remove encroachments along the main road in Shirgao.
The action was undertaken in preparation for the upcoming annual Jatra of the famous Shri Lairai Devi Temple, scheduled to be held in April. The temple attracts thousands of devotees from across Goa and neighbouring states, making crowd management and public safety a top priority for the administration.
Last year, a tragic stampede during the festival claimed the lives of six devotees, while injuring dozens of others. Determined to prevent any recurrence of such an incident, the administration identified and cleared encroachments along the crucial route from Shirgao Tali to the Homkund area. This stretch serves as a primary access route for devotees visiting the temple during the festival.
Officials stated that the removal of roadside obstructions will help ensure smooth movement of visitors and reduce congestion, thereby minimising safety risks during peak hours of the Jatra.
The drive was conducted in the presence of Bicholim’s Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar Shailendra Desai, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, and other concerned departmental officials. Police personnel were deployed to maintain order during the operation.
The local administration has appealed to residents and shopkeepers to cooperate fully with the authorities. Officials emphasised that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure that this year’s Lairai Devi Jatra is conducted in a safe, orderly, and peaceful manner.
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Joint task force formed to enforce safety norms
BICHOLIM: In view of the Shirgao Zatra on April 21, the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Bicholim, on Friday issued an order constituting and empowering a Joint Task Force to oversee safety, regulate installations, and prevent encroachments in public areas.
The order, issued by Shubham Naik, Deputy Collector & SDM, Bicholim Sub-Division, mandates strict adherence to safety norms and authorises coordinated enforcement action by multiple departments.
The Mamlatdar of Bicholim has been designated as the in-charge officer of the Joint Task Force and will coordinate inspections, oversee enforcement actions, ensure inter-departmental cooperation, and submit necessary reports related to compliance and safety measures.
The Joint Task Force shall comprise the police inspector (Bicholim Police Station), station fire officer (Fire & Emergency Services), engineer (Electricity department, Bicholim), executive engineer (PWD Bicholim), executive engineer (PWD (Buildings), Bicholim) and secretary of Shirgao panchayat.
As per the order, electrical, fire-related and structural installations in public places shall comply with safety norms and may dismantled by the Task Force if found unsafe. This measure is aimed at preventing fire hazards, structural collapses, electrical accidents, and other risks associated with temporary installations during large public gatherings.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been directed to provide full logistical support to the Task Force. This includes deployment of trucks and transport vehicles, provision of earth-moving machinery, arrangement of labour and manpower, supply of equipment required for removal of encroachments, clearing of access routes and execution of necessary safety measures.
All departments and authorities concerned have been instructed to extend full cooperation to the Joint Task Force and act upon its directions in furtherance of the order. Non-compliance or obstruction of duties will invite action in accordance with law.
The directive has come into force with immediate effect and will remain operative until the completion of the Zatra or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
In regulation of public places during the Zatra, the order directed that no person shall erect any stall, shed, temporary structure, installation or obstruction on any road, pathway, route or other public place without prior written permission of the authority.
Besides, no material, vehicle, equipment or installation shall be placed so as to obstruct or
the width of any road, pedestrian passage or emergency route.
Parking of vehicles shall be strictly regulated as directions of the Police and traffic authorities and no parking shall be permitted on emergency access routes, the order added.
