Herald: Why is it that the Panjim fair has been shifted from the 18th June road to Gracia De Orta garden area?
Furtado: Initially, the entire stretch of Church Square and 18 June road was occupied by the hawkers/vendors during the three-day long Panjim feast fair. But as more and more shops and establishments came up in that area, attracting thousands of customers every day, there was opposition and resentment to the fair along that area. There were several representations made to CCP. Accordingly in 2013, soon after me taking over as Mayor, a unanimous resolution was passed to shift the fair to the Gracia De Orta garden area.
Herald:But, here too there are complaints from owners of shops and establishment about the abrupt distribution of stalls.
Furtado: I know but we can’t help it as Panjimites are against shifting the fair from the Church area.
We had once shifted the fair to Campal but the Church body visited us requesting us not to shift it. So we are helpless. There is opposition but we are trying our best to ensure that the traditional occupants don’t suffer. CCP collects nearly Rs 1 crore sopo from different fairs that take place in the city annually. Herald: What you are saying is that there is no alternative.
Furtado: If there was I would have opted for it. But I would request people to please cooperate with us. We assure that from next year the situation will change.
Herald:There are a lot of complaints about waste generation and the unhygienic conditions prevailing at the fair site and CCP’s failure to act.
Furtado: CCP is collecting the waste generated on a daily basis. Also the area is swept every morning. We are doing whatever is in our hands.
