Questions raised over enforcement and monitoring
ILLEGALITY RELOADED: The illegally installed advertising hoarding at the Mapusa KTCL bus-stand – earlier removed by KTC officials and reported to police – has resurfaced within days, underlining how illegality in public spaces returns unchecked despit
MAPUSA
In a clear case of the law being openly defied, an illegally installed advertising hoarding at the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) bus-stand in Mapusa — recently removed by KTC officials — has reappeared within days. The hoarding has been fully reinstalled, illuminated and is being run using an illegal electricity connection.
The hoarding had earlier been put up without any permission from KTCL and was removed after internal action by the transport corporation. However, its quick and bold reinstallation at a busy public transport hub has raised serious questions about enforcement, deterrence and official inaction.
The matter becomes more serious as KTCL had formally lodged a complaint at the Mapusa police station after the hoarding was first removed. Despite this, there appears to have been no visible follow-up action.
Residents allege that this silence has encouraged the violators to openly defy the law and reinstall the hoarding as if no authority exists.
“This clearly shows that people are no longer scared of the law or the authorities,” said Mapusa resident Adv Mahesh Rane.
“If nightclubs can operate for two years without mandatory permissions, then reinstalling an illegal hoarding is child’s play. This incident perfectly explains how the system works in the State,” Rane added.
Civil society members have also criticised the lack of oversight at one of North Goa’s busiest public spaces. GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins said the incident highlights the complete absence of monitoring at the Mapusa bus-stand.
“There is no accountable bus-stand in-charge keeping watch over what is happening at a public place used by thousands every day. Illegal activities of all kinds are going unchecked. This hoarding episode is just one visible symptom of a much larger problem,” Martins said.
He also stressed the urgent need for a permanent police presence at the bus-stand, pointing out that passengers — especially those waiting for late-night buses — are left vulnerable due to the lack of basic security arrangements.
Repeated attempts by The Goan to contact Mapusa bus-stand in-charge Bhikaji Phadte for his response went unanswered.
