MAPUSA
Uncertainty looms over the Public Works Department’s (PWD) planned demolition drive against roadside encroachments in Bardez and Pernem talukas, even as the department’s recent public notice has sparked widespread concern among local stall, cart and shop owners.
The PWD’s Division XIII issued a public warning last week stating that all encroachments “ both movable and immovable “ within the Right of Way (ROW) along roads in areas such as Pernem, Mandrem, Tivim, Siolim, Aldona, Saligao, Calangute, Porvorim and Mapusa would be removed.
The notice cited a directive from the High Court of Bombay at Goa and a circular from the Principal Chief Engineer of the PWD.
Several village panchayats had already begun issuing notices to affected vendors and shopkeepers based on the High Court order.
Saligao Panchayat has reportedly sent out nearly 100 notices, targeting mostly stalls and some permanent shops along the main road leading to the church.
Saligao Sarpanch Lucas Remedios expressed concern over the sudden move of the PWD to act on roadside encroachments.
“The PWD should have given individual notices asking shop owners to vacate voluntarily before proceeding with demolitions. Many of these shops have stock worth lakhs. Our people are going to suffer because of this,” Remedios said.
In Tivim, panchayat member Shivdas Kambli said around 80 structures have received notices.
He criticised the lack of a phased approach.
“Some of these roadside businesses in Assonora have existed for more than 50 years. Instead of this abrupt action, the government should have formulated a plan to safeguard local livelihoods,” Kambli added.
Meanwhile, in the coastal areas, Calangute and Anjuna panchayats have each issued around 50 notices.
However, Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira stated that the local body has yet to receive any direct orders from the PWD regarding demolition operations.
The sudden issuance of notices has triggered panic among affected vendors. Many are making frantic calls to political representatives and officials in an attempt to delay or stop the demolitions.
They fear that losing their stalls or shops would strip them of their only source of income.
A senior PWD engineer clarified that while the department does have the authority to remove illegal constructions on ROW, the recent court directive emphasises that demolition duties lie with local panchayats and municipalities. He also pointed out that demolitions could face legal challenges if the affected stalls or shops were originally permitted by panchayats.
As tension mounts, both local authorities and affected vendors await clarity on the PWD’s next steps, with livelihoods hanging in the balance.
