The Penha de Franca panchayat demolished an encroachment by the roadside in Ward 5 at Malim.
Locals had complained to the Panchayat that the encroachment by the roadside at Malim had caused traffic jams during peak hours and demanded the removal of the encroachment.
A resolution to this effect was adopted in the recent Gram Sabha and the panchayat demolished the roadside encroachment in the presence of a police team.
Later speaking to media person, Penha de Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar said the Panchayat Raj Act empowers the panchyat to remove encroachments by the road without servicing notice to anybody.
“Since there were complaints from locals that the encroachment was creating traffic jams, especially in the morning and evening, the Panchayat informed the police and removed the footpath constructed by the property owner by the roadside.”
“The matter regarding the structure erected by the owner without permission from the panchayat is pending in court. As soon as the stay granted by the court is vacated, the structure will also be demolished,” said Chodankar.
Chodankar said there are over 25 kiosks along the road at Malim.
“Most kiosks are registered with the panchayat and some of them were given permission to operate during the Covid pandemic to earn their livelihood. The panchayat has decided to create a hawker’s zone at Malim and the process of identifying a suitable place for the same is going on.”
“As soon the place for a hawker’s zone is identified, all kiosks registered with panchayat will be directed to shift in the hawker’s zone and the illegal kiosks will be demolished,” said Chodankar.
