THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has warned vendors in Vasco of strict action if found encroaching footpaths in the Port Town.
The warning comes after the MMC received several complaints from people that vendors have been encroaching footpaths throughout the day.
The NGO ‘Goa First’ had also recently submitted a memorandum to the MMC chief officer demanding strict action against rampant encroachments on footpaths by several vendors.
“The population of Vasco is increasing day by day and so are vehicles. While Vascokars are struggling to walk on footpaths during monsoons, parking of bikes is equally a tough task, ” said Goa First convenor Parshuram Sonurlekar.
“We have given a representation and submitted a memorandum to the CO to take action on encroachers,” he added.
When contacted, Fernandes said the drive on encroachments on footpaths was to have begun earlier.
“But due to Ramadan prayers and subsequent Eid celebrations in the Port Town, the drive has been deferred till Tuesday,” MMC Chief Officer Fernandes said.
“My men are already on the job trying to tell the vendors to refrain from encroaching before we begin the drive. We also have to maintain religious sentiments and this is the holy month of Ramadan followed with Eid,” he added.
“The drive has been deferred till Eid and after that we will take strict action. We have instructed vendors to remove encroachments on their own before we begin the drive,” said Fernandes.
