MAPUSA
In bid to allow smooth movement of the fire tender in case of an emergency in the Mapusa municipal market, the Mapusa Municipal Council has on Wednesday decided to shift the fruit and cloth vendors to one side of the two extreme lanes in the market to maintain the desired open space.
“The Mapusa fire department had requested to maintain at least 5 metre opening for a fire tender to pass in the event of any fire emergency inside the market. We need to keep this space open in the interest of the shopkeepers and the public,” said Ashirwad Khorjuvenkar, Chairman of Mapusa Council Market Committee.
While a majority of the councillors were in favour of shifting the vendors to maintain the open space, councillor Sainath Raul opposed the plan.
“If the decision is only for a few days during the Chaturthi festival then it is fine but I don’t think we should make it a permanent plan,” Raul said, without elaborating his opposition to the idea.
Khorjuvenkar informed that this was not a new plan and in fact before the Covid pandemic, the fruit and the cloth vendors were stationed on the periphery of the market lane leaving the middle path open.
“During the Covid, the vendors were allotted space in the middle of the lane and it continued that way till today. For better coordination and safety, it’s advisable these vendors are shifted to the earlier place and leave the middle path open,” he said.
MMC Chairperson Priya Mishal along with the majority of the councillors agreed to the plan and gave their go ahead.
Councillor Sainath Raul had to finally bow down to the wishes of the majority in the council.
Khorjuvenkar also stressed on the need to mark the vending space in the market so that every vendor falls in line and confines himself within the allotted space.
He also sought the cooperation of all the councillors to organise a well-planned marketing experience for the approaching Chaturthi festival especially the Matoli Bazaar.
