Mapusa market slowly and steadily getting decongested

MAPUSA: The Mapusa market is slowly and steadily getting decongested. The famous market located in the heart of the town was the most congested place due to illegal encroachment which had gone out of the control of the authorities. 

However, after many years, the Mapusa Municipal Council has somehow managed to clear the encroachments and curb illegal activities taking place in the market.

Encroachment was one of the major issues which the municipality was trying to resolve for many years. The illegal and haphazard encroachment had made it difficult for the people to walk around freely in the market. Not only the daily commuters but also the shop owners and vendors were frustrated due to this. The Merchant Association and other Goan shopkeepers and vendors had demanded the municipality to clear the encroachments. 

The encroachments had reached at such a level where in the non-Goan vendors had set up their stalls on the footpaths in the market, in front of shops owned by Goan vendors, further causing hindrance to their business and people entering into the market.

The Merchant Association last year has also threatened to undertake a non-violent protest if the MMC failed to solve this encroachment issue.

Though, the Mapusa market is now witnessing a slow and steady decongestion, the encroachments issue is not totally resolved as the number of vendors keeps on fluctuating. 

In order to control the encroachments in the market area, the MMC has increased the fine amount from Rs 50 to Rs 500. Initially, there was only one market inspector. However, the municipality last year appointed two additional inspectors to keep watch on illegalities.

The area near Shakuntala Statue and all the entrances of the market are cleared and made free from the vendors. Several spots in the market which were previously occupied by different types of vendors and hawkers are cleared and open for the people to walk freely in the market.

Pay parking around the market was also one of the important decisions taken by the MMC. Initially, the parking fee was Rs 3 which was later increased to Rs 5.