Sancoale Sarpanch using machinery to demolish an encroachment of a shop along the MES College road in Vidhyanagar colony in the presence of locals and panch members. Captured by : Vikram Nayak
VASCO
Sancoale panchayat led by Sarpanch Ramakant Borker on Monday began a drive to clear all encroachments along the MES College road in Vidhyanagar Colony.
Sarpanch Ramkant Borker also warned that no wine store and meat shop would be allowed in residential colonies and also appealed to other shopkeepers and locals to clear encroachments before the panchayat takes action.
The panchayat also razed several encroachments of shops in the presence of locals, panch members and highway authority officials.
"This initiative was taken after Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho advised us to clear encroachments along the road. This road leads to a college and several houses, but the road is forever congested and the main reason is the encroachments of both sides of the roads,” said Borkar.
“We want this road to be accessible and the NHAI officials have also assured to widen the road. We have united to clear encroachments on both sides of the road," said Borker.
Borker said after clearing of encroachment, the panchayat would construct pathways, gutters and drainage in the area after widening the road.
"People must clear encroachment before the panchayat arrives with a bulldozer,” he said.
The sarpanch also made it clear that no meat shop or wine store would be permitted in the residential areas.
"This is a residential area which has several housing colonies and we were the first panchayat to pass a resolution not to have bars in this area.”
“Similarly, we also don't want anyone having meat shops in the middle of the colony which could create issues for others.”
“Some illegally tried to start these businesses but we visited the shops and stopped their businesses. We have no issues if shops sell groceries, vegetables and other items," said Borker.
