MARGAO
With less than 10 days to go before the Old market feast fair, residents of Madel have requested the Margao Municipal Council to conduct the December 8 feast fair without encroachments on the footpath, road blockades, traffic congestion and to look after parking, besides garbage and sanitation issues.
The residents have also demanded a ban on the use of plastic bags below 20 microns.
The residents led by Savio Dias and others pointed out that locals requested the civic body to take care of the parking and sanitation issues, besides parking and footpath encroachments during the fair, but in vain.
“Every time your office gives priority for more stalls and more revenue without emphasizing public grievances. To mark stalls and distribute them after issuing fees challans is the priority of your office after that none of your staff is deployed to adhere to the public grievances we have highlighted. Our appeals fall on deaf ears," the letter stated.
Saying he was appointed as a member to the advisory committee for the Purumentachem fest in June last, Savio said the approach roads leading to Maddel were all blocked by parking vehicles and the locals had to regulate the traffic and clear the roads.
“Instead of paying more interest on more stalls, much importance be given to providing or leaving parking space on the fairgrounds rather than the people parking their vehicles on the public road and causing hardships to others. Entrust some municipal staff for traffic regulations during the fair time morning till night. The help of Margao traffic cell should be sought to regulate traffic and avoid traffic congestion,” the residents demanded.
They added: “In the past, these fairs were scheduled only for three days but now the council have made it seven days. Limit it to the minimum time/duration period and do not keep on giving extensions due to political patronage.”
The residents have called for a firm initiative to completely ban the use of 20 microns plastic bags.
“Garbage should be collected twice every day and earmarked for garbage dumping within the fair area. Also, provide water facilities and mobile toilets within the fair area and not in parking space,” they said while demanding that noise-polluting stalls should be ordered to stop by 9.30 pm in the interest of senior citizens.
While demanding that the footpaths all along the fair should be free from encroachments, the residents said the Chief Officer should ensure no vendors take on the footpaths at any time.
