MARGAO: With narrow passages in the Margao municipal market making it difficult for visitors to move about freely, the local residents have demanded that these passages be freed of encroachment by the sopo vendors.
The residents have urged the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer (CO) to conduct immediate inspection of these encroached spaces and initiate action against those vendors who have encroached upon municipal spaces.
“With Ganesh festival approaching fast, some vendors have dumped their goods on the passages, thus blocking the pathways in the market. This has made it very difficult for the customers to move comfortably,” said senior citizen Milind Raiker.
He alleged that as per Municipal Act, these floating vendors are supposed to sit through the day for selling their products, pay to the sopo collector and leave the space on the same day.
“MMC must tell us how it has allowed these sopo vendors to construct stalls. Moreover, every year, they are increasing the size of their stalls and the passages meant for free movement of the public are shrinking further,” he said.
According to the locals, some of them do not have valid licences, while some pay fees on daily bases to sopo contractors.
These vendors have not only occupied the pavements inside the markets, but also on the important arterial roads of Margao.
A police officer posted at Margao police station, admitted that the number of illegal hand carts have increased in Margao city. He said that the police station in-charge has directed them to book them under Section 34 of the Police Act (indecent exposure of person).
“We book them under relevant sections and confiscate their carts. But we have to release these carts after the vendors pay a fine. The very next day, we found these carts back on the streets,” he said.
