the goan I network
VASCO
A fatal mishap in Ponda has had far-reaching implications for Vasco and all municipalities in the State, with authorities directing all municipal councils to remove roadside kiosks, hawkers and vendors.
The Directorate of Municipal Administration’s (DMA) instruction to all municipal councils and seeking compliance by January 11 follows from a letter by Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dinraj Govenker to the DMA, with copies to the DGP Goa, IGP Goa, DIG (Range) and Superintendent of Police (North and South) on November 16, 2018.
In his letter, SP Govenker stated that on November 15, 2018, a fatal accident took place at Kone-Priol in Ponda, where a 38-year-old woman and a 3-year-old child were crushed to death under a heavy crane.
“On the fatal day, both victims were near a roadside kiosk at Kone-Priol, Ponda. Several kiosks selling tender coconuts, vegetables, fruits, oils, sugarcane juice etc. have mushroomed at various locations along the roadside.”
“Also, hawkers/vendors are seen squatting along the road shoulders and conducting business. Motorists moving on the road generally stop in front of these kiosks/hawkers by parking their vehicles (most of them prefer buying by sitting in the vehicle itself), thereby blocking the part of road which results in congestion and slowing down the movement of vehicular traffic.”
“The sudden stoppage of vehicles in front of such kiosk/hawkers/vendors also results in accidents. Thus such kiosks/hawkers/vendors are causing public nuisance and endangering their lives as well as that of the motorists.”
“In order to prevent motor vehicle accidents and in the interest of ensuring safety of motorists/pedestrians and to prevent loss of life and property of the hawkers/vendors, it is requested to issue immediate direction to all municipalities to evict/remove all kiosks/hawkers/vendors operating along the roadside on priority,” stated the letter written by SP Govenker.
Acting on SP Govenkar’s letter, Director of Municipal Administration R Menaka issued written directives in a circular on January 3 to the Commissioner of CCP and chief officers of all municipal councils to initiate the removal and eviction of all roadside kiosks, hawkers and vendors.
In the circular, Menaka has mentioned that the directions are to be complied with immediate effect and a compliance report to this effect be submitted to DMA by January 11.
When contacted, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes confirmed receiving the DMA letter.
“The MMC had already initiated action on the circular and a drive to clear roadside kiosks, hawkers and vendors had begun from Monday. No roadside kiosk, vendor or hawker will be permitted and strict action would be initiated on violators.”
“We will be following the law strictly and people should not misunderstand this as harassment.”
Fernandes said the municipal inspectors and ATO would continue to monitor the municipality for any such roadside hawker, so that the directives are followed.
“No vendor will be allowed to display their products on the roads or shoulders so as to lure customers. This is not the only municipal council to undertake this drive and similar drives will be initiated by all municipal councils in Goa,” said Fernandes.
GOVENKER’S
LETTER
Several kiosks selling tender coconuts, vegetables, fruits, sugarcane juice etc. have mushroomed at various locations along the roadside
Also, hawkers/vendors seen squatting along road shoulders and conduct business
Motorists stop in front of kiosks/hawkers thereby blocking part of road resulting in congestion
Sudden stoppage of vehicles in front of such kiosk/hawkers/vendors also results in accidents
Such kiosks/hawkers/vendors cause public nuisance and endanger lives
Immediate direction needs to be given to all municipalities to evict/remove all kiosks/hawkers/vendors operating along roadside on priority
THE INCIDENT
A fatal accident took place at Kone-Priol in Ponda on November 15, 2018, where a 38-year-old woman and a 3-year-old child were crushed to death under a heavy crane
DMA ORDER
Along with CCP, all municipal councils must initiate removal and eviction of all roadside kiosks, hawkers and vendors... directions are to be complied with immediate effect
