MARGAO: The High Court has directed the government, Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and South Goa Planning and Development Authority that fairs on the occasion of the feast of Holy Spirit and the feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception be conducted at the SGPDA ground and the roads leading to Colva on the southern side only.
The court has ordered the fair to be only for seven days and asked the MMC Chief Officer to take action if the sale continues for a longer period. Green Goa Foundation had filed a writ petition in 2010 against the sale on the footpath of the National Highway.
The court has directed that no stalls be allowed to be erected for such fairs on the main Panjim-Margao road up to the Old Market Circle, the road leading to Margao and the road leading to Ponda. The court has laid down 17 suggestions for organising the fair.
It has suggested the SGPDA ground with an approximate area of 12,000 sq mts wherein 800 stalls can be accommodated and the road towards Colva and ring road for a length of 800 metres that can accommodate 570 stalls giving a total of 1,370 stalls be utilized for the fair.
Along the Panjim-Margao Road facing SGPDA complex 165 stalls can be accommodated. All shops should face the Osia Complex and not the road. Land for parking from Colva Circle to KTC bus stand an area of 23,000 square metres can accommodate 1400 stalls it suggested.
In addition to giving options, the court has laid down mandates such as temporary electricity connection for stalls to be obtained from the Electricity Department, Superintendent of Police to prepare bandobast plan, PWD to look into arrangements of road maintenance, Food and Drug Administration to depute inspectors to check stalls selling eatables.
The order has empowered MMC and related authorities to take steps to get the orders applied.
