MARGAO
Overruling the recommendations made by the Traffic police for the shifting of the seven-day old market feast fair, the district authorities headed by district Collector, Jyoti Kumari gave the green signal for the fair beginning on December 8.
Representative of Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Durgadas Kamat, who attended the meeting along with party-backed councillors, has cried foul over the decision, warning that the Collector Jyoti Kumari will be solely responsible for any traffic snarls in the old market.
The decision to hold the fair at the old market area despite opposition by the Traffic police was taken at a high-level meeting at the district Collectorate. The meeting chaired by the Collector was attended by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar, councillors, Durgadas Kamat as representative of the Fatorda MLA and officials, including DySP Traffic Prabodh Shirwaikar, PI Gautam Salunke, officials of sewerage corporation and others.
The go-ahead signal for the fair was given by the district authorities after a parking arrangement for 1,000 vehicles was proposed at the meeting. It was also pointed out that the sewerage department will not start fresh work between the KTC bus stand and old market circles in the next 10 days to facilitate the fair.
After the meeting, the Margao MLA told the media that it has been decided that the Margao civic body should ensure that no stalls come up on the footpath as directed by the High Court. “The PDA will provide space to park 1,000 vehicles. The traffic police are working on a plan to manage traffic during the fair," Kamat said, adding that proper police patrolling and sufficient parking space will be provided to take care of traffic blues.
MMC Chairperson Damu Shirodkar said the meeting has decided to continue the tradition of the feast fair at the old market.
