MARGAO
The High Court order dated October 18, 2000 in Writ Petition 148 of 1997 and order dated March 6, 2025 in suo moto PIL has come back to haunt the Margao Municipal Council and encroachers on the city pavements and passages.
For, senior Power official and activist Kashinath Shetye has knocked the doors of the High Court with a contempt petition against Margao Municipal Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar over his failure to clear the kiosks and encroachments on the footpaths near the Aquem Power House.
Taking cognisance of the contempt petition, the High Court has issued notice to the MMC Chief Officer returnable on June 8, 2026.
In his petition, Shetye submitted that he had drawn attention of the authorities vide letter dated May 2, 2025 and on April 8, 2026 of the encroachments and illegal construction on roadside and footpaths.
The petitioner pointed out that the South Goa Collector was prompt in issuing directions dated May 9, 2025 to the Chief Officer Margao Municipal Council to clear the encroachments.
He said the Dy Collector (South) was prompt in issuing directions dated January 22, 2025 to the Chief Officer Margao, adding that the Executive Engineer, Electricity Department had issued a letter to the Chief Officer to remove the encroachments failing which he will move the court for action.
Similarly, he said the Deputy Director, Urban Development had issued directions to the Chief Officer on May 22, 2025 for action in three days but pointed out that no action has been initiated by the civic body, terming the inaction as wilful and deliberate violation of the High Court order. “The MMC Chief Officer has violated the orders of the High Court, is aware of the mandate of law and was obliged to act in accordance with the law in force,” he said.
Hopes are raised in the corridors of the Margao Municipal Council and outside that the contempt petition may force the Municipal authorities to act against gaddas and encroachments mushrooming across the city, on footpaths and road widening areas.
Fears are also raised in certain quarters that the axe may fall on all encroachments and illegal gaddas in the event the High Court issues strict directions to the Margao Municipal Council to clear all illegalities from the pavements, passages and road side gaddas.
