Citizens demand action as beggars obstruct traffic, hound shoppers in Margao
Team Herald
MARGAO: Authorities are struggling to manage the growing number of beggars in Margao and its vicinity, with the lack of rehabilitation centres posing a significant obstacle to getting them off the streets.
Srinet Kothwale, Additional Collector I, announced that a meeting with relevant authorities will soon be convened to address the issue. He assured that the matter will be taken seriously and that effective measures will be initiated.
Many believe that establishing rehabilitation centres may not adequately resolve the problem and could potentially worsen the situation, leading to an influx of more beggars into the district.
Beggars have been causing disruptions at traffic junctions and other public spaces, annoying locals and commuters. The absence of an effective management strategy has made matters worse, with the problem spreading beyond Margao to areas like Verna and Vasco, where homeless individuals and vagrants, often accompanied by barefooted children, solicit alms at busy intersections, contributing to traffic congestion.
Beggars also hound shoppers at the SGPDA retail market, and often end up in disputes with vendors.
In an interview with O Heraldo Srinet Kothwale stated, “There is a need for proper planning to curb the existing menace of beggars in the town. Having rehabilitation centres alone won’t resolve the issue.”
Police sources indicated that while they regularly pick up beggars from the streets, these individuals are often released shortly after, only to return to their usual spots within days. Kothwale also admitted that after being released, beggars are often seen back at their familiar locations within a few days.
Citizens believe the government needs to devise a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate beggars, at least to protect the vulnerable children who are made to beg or sell goods at busy intersections, while riskily dodging traffic.
“The authorities need to devise a concrete plan to tackle this issue,” said Sarvesh Raikar, a resident of Margao.