The beggars located near the Vasco railway station park. Captured by : Vikram Nayak
VASCO
A number of Vasco residents on Wednesday expressed concern over a growing number of beggars in the city, especially near the Vasco railway station.
They claimed that beggars have been occupying the area near Vasco railway station, defecate in the open and created nuisance after dusk.
Several taxi operators who operate near the Vasco railway station also demanded that the railway authorities take strict action against the beggars near the station.
“Beggars consume alcohol and also creating a mess around the area. Some of these beggars also fights among themselves after getting drunk and sometimes they can be dangerous,” remarked a taxi operator, Ramesh Yadav.
“Sometimes, a sick beggar is left unattended and we are unsure what to do with them. Initially, there was only one beggar but now, there is an entire group living here. They have also made their own cooking arrangements by putting laterite stones on the pavement of the recently developed garden," he said.
Another taxi operator, Mehboob Shaik, the beggars would defecate in the open around the railway station.
"The area around the Vasco railway station has been beautified, the park has just been developed and a national flag has been installed.”
“But sadly, the beggars use this park for themselves. Railway authorities must act on these beggars,” said Shaikh.
Another taxi operator, Thomson Dias, said many people had engaged in providing free food to the beggars after the lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"These beggars are becoming very picky. They get free food and have now begun eating non-vegetarian food while discarding vegetarian food, which is then dumped and causes unbearable stench," said Dias.
When contacted, Vasco Railway Station Manager, Ramdas Gudemane said though the area was near the railway station, it was not under the railway jurisdiction.
"I have also received several complains about beggars. Though people have come to us, the area is outside the railway station and the garden is not under our jurisdiction.”
“I will however write to the MMC and Vasco police to take necessary action against beggars in the area outside the Vasco railway station," said Gudemane.
