the goan I network
MARGAO
Are illegal gaddas mushrooming in the commercial capital in both Margao and Fatorda right under the nose of the Margao civic body and the powers that be?
This question is doing the rounds in the corridors of the Margao civic body and outside as illegal gaddas make hay with political patronage across the city. If illegal gaddas rule the roost at the Aquem side of the Margao railway station, the presence of gaddas in public places around Fatorda area has indeed raised many an eyebrow amongst citizens and activists alike.
The presence of fast food outlets right on the covered drain in front of the SPGDA parking lot has raised questions how the authorities and the powers that be have turned a blind eye to these kiosks, an eyesore right at the entrance to the city. Many gaddas, citizens pointed out, have encroached the public places, beyond the prescribed area earmarked by the civic body.
The presence of a couple of fast food gaddas at the parking lot area opposite the KTC bus stand is also a talking point amongst citizens group, whether the city’s entrance is the right place for the fast food gaddas to operate.
These questions were raised by a group of citizens who called on the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, seeking to know whether there’s any policy or guidelines in place to regulate the operation of gaddas in Fatorda and Margao areas of the city.
The TCP Minister had fixed a meeting with the citizens on Thursday noon in the district Collectorate to discuss the issue threadbare, before the meeting was cancelled at the eleventh hour given Sardesai’s pre-occupation in Panaji.
The TCP Minister, however, agreed on the need to frame a policy for the regulation of the kiosks operating in the commercial capital. “I admit that the presence of the fast food kiosks opposite the KTC bus stand or in front of the SGPDA parking lot is an eyesore. I am also aware that these kiosks are not supposed to park their structures at the place of operation, but are required to take back the kiosks at the end of the day. I am told these requirements are not adhered to by the operators,” he said.
The TCP Minister said that he would soon convene the meeting with the citizens group on the issue so that a permanent solution is evolved taking all factors into account.
