CANACONA
The PWD (highway) notices seeking the eviction of around 20 gaddas along the NH66 highway in Loliem-Polem and some structures in Poinguinim have sparked off a controversy, with Loliem panchayat stating that permissions were given to operate the mobile gaddas for self-employment purposes.
The gadda owners are upset over these eviction notices and now fear about their livelihood.
According to notices issued by PWD (highway), the gadda owners have been accused of unauthorised occupation on national highway land and have been asked to clear the encroachment from central government land, within a period of seven days from the notice. Some of the notices are dated March 29.
The PWD (highway) has also threatened to remove the encroachments at the encroacher’s risk and cost, without further notice.
Besides the several kiosks/gaddas operating between Maxem and Polem in Loliem-Polem village, a few gaddas and residential structures along the Talpona-Galgibaga stretch of Poinguinim village have also reportedly received notices to remove the unauthorised structures.
According to Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Sachin Naik, the panchayat had given around 20 permissions to operate the mobile gaddas for self-employment.
“Many of these gaddas had been operating along the highway at Maxem, Dapot, Madditollop and Polem for the last 10-25 years, sustaining livelihoods in their daily operations,” said Naik.
Sources said the stretch of road between Manohar Parrikar Canacona Bypass Road at Maxem and the NH66 road up to the Polem border check post is being taken up for road-widening work to a 4-lane road.
“The PWD (Highway) has taken up the task to clear encroachments on either sides of the NH66 already in possession with the government,” the source added.
However, some residents below the Galgibaga-Maxem bridge in Galgibaga who have residential and commercial structures have also been issued with similar notices to remove their encroachment within 7 days.
Residents complained their livelihoods are being threatened by the government and pleaded that they be allowed to continue with their trade till the commencement of actual road-widening work.
“We are not saying that we should be allowed to continue permanently, but allow us to at least continue till the actual work begins. Our families will be ruined if we are suddenly forced to remove our gaddas,” said Bhiku Pagi, who is running an omelet-pao gadda at Dapot-Maxem for several years.
Pagi also requested the government and the panchayat to relocate them suitably, so that they can continue their livelihood.
Added another resident said: “The highway is complete and so is the bridge. So, why the sudden notices to those structures which have been existing in the vicinity for so many years?”
