Mapusa council keeps ‘matoli' market shifting in abeyance

the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has opted to keep the decision to shift the matoli market to Mapusa taxi-stand in abeyance, allowing vendors to sell their stuff in the municipal market as was being done all these years.
However, the council has remained firm in its move to shift the fireworks stalls opposite the taxi-stand.
"The taxi-stand is the only dedicated parking spot for four-wheelers. If we shift the matoli market there, then there won't be any space for parking in the city inconveniencing a lot of people," Kavlekar said.
It may be recalled that MMC under former chairperson, Sandip Falari had decided to shift the matoli market and the fireworks stalls from the main market on account of chaos in the market during the Chathurthi festival.
The council had also unanimously passed a resolution to shift the matoli market at least for a year to study the consequences.
MMC chairperson said all the temporary fireworks stalls that do business during the Chathurthi festival will be shifted opposite the taxi-stand.
He said the shopkeepers inside the municipal market will be allowed to sell fireworks within its premises provided they get a license from the deputy collector to do so.
"However, in no circumstances the shopkeepers will be allowed to put a makeshift stall during the Chathurthi festival nor will they be allowed to sell fireworks along the corridor," Kavlekar said.
The chairperson along with all the councillors also held a joint meeting with the Mapusa Police, traffic police and the fire brigade officers to discuss on issues that will crop up during the approaching Chathurthi festival.
He said the traffic police have been asked to instruct all unauthorized two-wheeler taxi operators to stop parking opposite the taxi-stand to accommodate the fireworks stalls. The civic body will take up work to construct some drains at the new bus-stand site so that all inter-state buses could systematically park their buses there.
Mapusa Police has been instructed to maintain a strict watch in the market during the Chathurthi festival as number of pick-pocketing and theft cases rise during the period.
The fire brigade officers have been urged to locate and service all fire hydrant points in the market so that they are prepared for any eventuality.