MAPUSA
A cross-section of the people have appreciated the Mapusa Municipal Council’s vigorous anti-encroachment drive in town which on Tuesday completed a week but the big question on everyone’s mind is whether the civic body will be able to sustain the drive and ensure that the offenders will not revert back to old ways.
An influential group of people have also questioned the way the drive has been conducted accusing the chief officer of not following proper procedure while confiscating the material which was displayed on the footpaths or in road widening areas.
So far, the civic body has managed to clear encroachments of fast food stalls near the Alankar theatre and along Morod and Khorlim areas. The authorities are yet to enter into the main municipal market.
“The anti-encroachment drive is an excellent initiative by the civic body which was long overdue. It’s very good because people, particularly those who come to shop will be able to freely move on the footpaths. People had carried out a lot of illegal extensions and businesses all around the market area. The chief officer, chairperson and the entire council needs a pat on the back for their effort,” said Laura D’Sa, a resident of Angod, Mapusa.
She only hoped that the illegalities that have been cleared do not come back again and suggested that the civic body keep a strict watch on the areas that have been cleared.
According to Pandurang Sawant, a member of the Mapusa Merchants Association, it was the same municipality that encouraged illegalities in the market and allowed the shop owners to encroach on the footpath.
“Nothing can come up in the market or vendors allowed to occupy space without political patronage. They first allow illegalities to happen and then take action. Is this fair?” Sawant questioned.
He, however, said the action of the municipality to remove encroachment was good but wondered if the civic body will be able to sustain the campaign.
“The civic authorities should maintain the pressure on the shop owners and the vendors so that they do not go back to their old ways. Only then we can say that it was a serious exercise,” he said.
Incidentally, this is the first time in the history of Mapusa that an anti-encroachment drive has been carried out on such a large scale and non-stop for nearly a week and still counting.
Opposition councillor Shashank Narvekar said the drive showed a proactive approach of the municipality against illegalities but instead of restricting it to only boards and lifting of goods on footpaths, the civic body should also demolish illegal structures in the municipal jurisdiction.
“This should not be a one off incident. Such drives should be carried out on a daily basis as a deterrent. There is no need for notification,” Narvekar said.
He, however, said that the drive was not fair as only some segment of people were targeted.
