The annual Saptah Fair at Vasco came to a partial end on August 2, 2012. The the ills and hardships faced by the citizens and the residents of Swatantra Path and Fr. Jose Vaz streets need to be looked at.
Margao and Panaji have shifted their fair to other lanes away from the place of worship (Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate feasts). The authorities in Vasco should do the same in order to decongest and avoid closing of roads for ten consecutive days.
Erecting stalls on footpaths, amounts to encroachment which is in contempt of High Court Order dated June 4, 1997 (Removal of encroachments from footpaths). These stalls not only encroach on public footpaths but also block commercial shops, banks, and residences on Swatantra Path. All the effected commercial establishments pay their yearly trade license and House tax fees to the Municipality. The Municipality should compensate the loss suffered by these traders.
Thousands of people converge to the fair for ten days. In the calamitous event of fire, the Fire department personnel will not be able to access any house or building with their Fire engine. The same situation will arise if any citizen or resident needs immediate medical help or ambulance.
Since the road is closed for ten days the residents cannot use their vehicles for their daily activities. Also it is advisable to decongest crowded places in order to prevent terrorist acts.
