MARGAO
Stink, filth, scrap, broken pavers et al which has turned the iconic old bus stand an eyesore, welcomed Margao MLA Digambar Kamat as he joined officials of Police, Traffic and Margao Municipality for an inspection of the place on Thursday morning.
Garbage generated by the fast food kiosks operating at the old bus stand was strewn all over the place, throwing up questions what message is the BJP-controlled Margao Municipality conveying to the thousands of school children using the adjoining road and footpath to head to their respective schools.
That’s not all. The mobile food carts were all found illegally parked on the bus stand when the MMC licence condition mandates the owners to tow away the carts to the place of residence after business hours. A horticulture kiosk standing on the bus stand resembled an eyesore with the plastic sheets covering the structure craving for replacement.
A couple of accident vehicles which were found dumped on the Margao bus stand has thrown up questions whether the Margao police continue to use the bus stand as a dumping place for accident vehicles.
After having a look at the state of affairs at the bus stand, the Margao MLA instructed Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar and civic officials to check the number of legal and illegal kiosks operating at the bus stand. Kamat issued the instructions after a senior police official drew attention of the MLA to the fact that kiosks from other places have been relocated to the old bus stand sans permission. It was also pointed out that a couple of kiosks have been leased out to outsiders by the original owners.
After giving a patient hearing, Kamat told the civic chief and the officials to compile a report and initiate action.
In fact, he told the police and the MMC to clear the scrap and damaged vehicles from the old bus stand by Monday and to maintain hygiene. The PWD has been told to repair the footpath so that the same can be used by school children to walk to their respective schools.
