Team Herald
PORVORIM: Several thousands of people from Mapusa and surrounding villages converged on the streets of Mapusa on Tuesday evening to witness the grand carnival parade.
The carnival parade which was supposed to commence from the Tar Junction at 4 pm started at 4.35 pm. The grand carnival parade was flagged off by the Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza in the presence of Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo and Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Sandeep Falari.
According to Mapusa Carnival Festival Celebration Committee, 68 floats paraded the streets of Mapusa under security cover portraying themes ranging from customs and traditions, environment, wild life, village life, etc.
The parade culminated at the proposed new bus stand area near Bodgshwar temple late in the evening. The floats in the traditional category evoked good response from the crowd. The carnival procession received overwhelming response with the streets filled with spectators on either side of the parade route due to which the floats faced difficulties in wading through the streets.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonker, Mapusa Police Inspector Tushar Lotlikar, Porvorim PI Brandon de Souza and other police officials maintained security arrangements. Buses coming from Panjim were halted near Bodgeshwar temple due to which the passengers had to walk down considerable distance to the KTC bus stand.
