Team Herald
MARGAO: Hawkers, Bhelpuri carts, tender coconut carts and other businesses are operating illegally along the two-kilometre stretch of Margao-Colva road just west of the Mungul railway overbridge. The PWD had demolished many structures to expand the road but the expansion work has been pending for more than two years since the BRICS summit in 2016.
Since the last few months, many sheds selling mattresses, furniture’s etc have been erected along the side of the road. Even carts selling food items, fruits and tender coconuts have taken over the shoulders of the road. One particular food cart owner erected a shack and set up nearly 6 tables inside the shack. Besides this, there are nearly a dozen cars being parked by the owners of an automobile garage nearby.
The cart owners, all of whom spoke Hindi, claim that they have permission from Benaulim Panchayat. However, according to the staff of Seraulim Panchayat, the area falls within the jurisdiction of Seraulim village and the Seraulim Panchayat has not issued any permission. The food carts did not have FDA permission nor did they produce any document from the panchayat.
