Francisco Luis Gomes Road, one of the busiest stretches in the commercial hub of Margao, continues to be a nightmare for pedestrians and motorists. The road, which connects Pimpalkatta to the old railway station, is plagued by encroachments, poor maintenance, and inadequate enforcement by civic authorities, making daily commuting a challenge.
Though there are a few footpaths along this stretch, most are unusable. Shop owners have encroached on the sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk dangerously close to moving traffic.
A particularly glaring example is the stretch near Babu Cloth Store and the former Bombay Café, where two footpaths are permanently blocked by plastic materials and tarpaulins displayed for sale. This situation blatantly violates High Court directives that prohibit such obstructions on pedestrian pathways.
Adding to the chaos, unauthorized barriers placed in front of several shops prevent access to public parking. Residents have demanded that the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) immediately remove these barriers and ensure they are not returned to the shop owners, who repeatedly place them back.
“Francisco Luis Gomes Road has become an example of how authorities neglect pedestrian welfare,” said Jose Maria Miranda, a resident of Margao.
“Every day, we see people, including children and the elderly, walking on the road because the footpaths are unusable. The MMC must wake up and act firmly against encroachments if it truly cares about the safety of its citizens.”, he stated.
The road was temporarily closed to four-wheelers on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, which brought some relief to commuters and pedestrians. Locals now suggest that such restrictions could be made permanent to improve safety and reduce congestion in the area.
Residents also want the MMC to empower market inspectors to monitor the area regularly and ensure that encroachments do not return once removed. “Without consistent enforcement, any clearance drive will only offer temporary relief,” said another commuter.
Citizens say that unless strict action is taken against habitual violators, alongside implementation of better planning, the chaos on Francisco Luis Gomes Road will continue. The situation, they warn, not only undermines Margao’s status as Goa’s commercial capital, but also puts pedestrians at constant risk.