Team Herald
ASSAGAO: In compliance with a recent High Court directive, the Siolim-Marna panchayat removed all illegal hoardings and signboards from the divider stretch along the widened road from Theatre junction to the bridge. These hoardings deemed a distraction for motorists, posed a safety hazard due to their low placement.
After the road was widened last year, dividers were installed to manage traffic flow effectively. While lamp posts were also erected, advertisement hoardings soon followed. Despite the panchayat's firm denial of any approvals for these installations, many locals suspected that they had received tacit support from the panchayat.
Residents consistently protested against the hoardings. They raised the issue at various gram sabha meetings, demanding joint inspections by authorities including the RTO, PWD, and local road safety committee members. Unfortunately, their appeals went unheard, and the hoardings remained in place for nearly a year. Additionally, the Bardez Deputy Collector was petitioned regarding the matter.
Gregory D'Souza, Convenor of the Road Safety Committee for Siolim-Marna p'yat, took the matter to amicus curiae Adv S D Lotlikar, who highlighted the issue to the HC. The court found the hoardings to be in gross violation of government policy regarding public advertisements. “The hoardings were completely illegal and did not adhere to established regulations, making them unsafe for road users,” he stated.
D'Souza further said, “We decided to address the issue robustly, bringing it to the High Court's attention, which promptly ordered their removal. We are immensely grateful to the court and relieved that action has finally been taken.”
All illegal hoardings were removed swiftly in the presence of local ward member Sharmila Vernekar, Sarpanch Sandesh Hadfadkar, and members of the road safety committee led by D'Souza.