MAPUSA
Despite several high court directions to clear encroachments on Main District Roads (MDR), at least five unauthorised stalls have sprung up along the road widening area of the main road at Khorlim-Mapusa.
Similar stalls have also come up at Carrasvaddo and other areas in town, much to the annoyance of pedestrians and motorists.
At some places, fabricated stalls have been brought and set up by the roadside while others have been constructed by building a plinth level.
All the five kiosks that have come up in Khorlim are in Ward 16 of the Mapusa Municipal Council, represented by councillor Viraj Phadke.
The Mapusa civic body recently demolished a garage in the same vicinity stating that the structure was coming under the road widening area. The five stalls have been erected close to the main district road.
Sources informed that one of the stalls belongs to a kin of one MMC councillor.
According to officials in the PWD (roads), plans are afoot to take up improvement works along the road in the area.
Earlier, as part of beautification work, the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) had prepared a plan to build two traffic islands along with medians, a retaining wall, pedestrian walkaways, seating plazas, illumination, service ducts, etc. along the same road.
The entire project was estimated to cost Rs 25 crore.
PWD Assistant Engineer (roads) Mahesh Shetty informed that the department has received information about the illegal kiosks along the road.
“I have asked the junior engineer to submit a report in the matter and accordingly, action will be initiated,” Shetty said.
Local councillor Viraj Phadke said he was aware of the illegal stalls and also brought them to the attention of the civic body.
“The matter is with the chief officer who will take appropriate decision in the matter. As far as I know, the stall owners were asked to stop work,” Phadke said.
