Team Herald
PANJIM: Notwithstanding the High Court of Bombay at Goa directions on footpath encroachment, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Friday resolved to allow the annual Ashtami fair at the promenade/footpath, on a temporary basis, by evoking the powers they have under the Corporation Act. The proposal from the CCP has been moved to North Collector and DMA for the final decision.
“Last year there were problems due to the HC ruling and the Ashtami fair was moved to Kala Academy. This year too we were thinking of the same but the space at Kala Academy is available for a limited time due to other engagements. Then we thought of the Campal ground but then it was found that due to the rains it was not possible there,” Panjim Mayor Vithal Chopdekar said.
He added, “As per the Section 280 of the CCP Act, the corporation has the power to allow temporary usage of the footpath with a setback of three meters for pedestrians but with the consent of the Collector and DMA. The council has allowed annual Ashtami fair at the promenade/footpath from the ferry boat terminal point to Forrest restaurant in Campal and the proposal has been moved to North Collector and DMA for final decision.”
In 2017, CCP citing the HC order against holding such fairs had asked the vendors to relocate their stalls that were installed as a part of the Ashtami fair that commences ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.
