Citizen Brigido Fernandes Siolim
It seems like the Mapusa Municipality and the local traffic police are vying for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records—for turning a blind eye to what’s right in front of them while cracking down elsewhere. The prime example is the mobile tender coconut cart parked right in the middle of the two-wheeler parking zone, opposite the taxi stand in Mapusa. This area is clearly demarcated for two-wheelers, but that hasn’t stopped a vendor from occupying the space to do brisk business. Beside him, another hawker selling mangoes seems equally undisturbed, casually operating from a public parking spot.
Meanwhile, the average citizen is left circling the city, desperately looking for a place to park. If a private vehicle dares stop in a restricted area, it is promptly clamped or towed away to the police station, and the owner has to cough up a hefty fine to retrieve it. That’s how the rules apply to the common man. But somehow, those rules don’t seem to apply to these hawkers.
Just a fortnight ago, traffic police were seen clamping vehicles parked near the Karaswado circle—even though there were no clear restriction signs there. They were quick to show off their efficiency by uploading photos of their enforcement drive on social media. But when it comes to dealing with illegal vendors occupying public parking space just a stone’s throw from the police station and municipal office, their enthusiasm vanishes.
One is left wondering—are the authorities simply oblivious to these violations taking place under their noses, or is this selective enforcement? Shouldn’t the same rules apply to everyone? If the public is expected to follow traffic and civic regulations, so too should vendors who illegally occupy parking zones and public spaces. The authorities must act—evict these vendors and restore fairness and order in Mapusa’s already congested town centre.