MAPUSA: The Mapusa Youth along with few NGOs have raised strong concern over the illegal encroachment of footpaths, road and other public spaces by migrants in Mapusa jurisdiction on Monday.
They have submitted a complaint letter to the Chairperson and Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council, Mapusa Police Station and Traffic Cell.
At the same time they have asked the concerned authorities to initiate immediate action in the matter.
The leader of the group Mapusa Youth Gauresh Keni along with other members pointed out that these encroachments are putting the lives of pedestrians in danger and are a source of annoyance for the large public.
“Several migrants are illegally and forcefully encroaching the footpaths and other public spaces and carrying out the sale of flowers and other items. Most of the public spaces in the jurisdiction of Mapusa are blocked and encroached by the vehicles and hawkers who are mostly migrants. So many accidents and traffic jams occur because the pedestrians are forced to walk on the road as the footpaths as well as half of the road’s area are blocked,” said Gauresh.
The complaint letter stated that there is a flower market in Mapusa where other locals and vendors are selling flowers legally by paying the necessary fees to the MMC. However these migrants are carrying out business illegally outside the market area.
Another member Pravin Asolkar pointed out that areas outside the Mapusa KTC bus stand, Gandhi Chowk, several migrants are carrying out business illegally.
“We Goans are hunted if we carry out business without permission on the footpaths but these migrants are allowed to do as they please here. They encroach the footpaths and other public places creating huge loss to the vendors carrying out legitimate business in the flower market. We demand action in the matter,” said Asolkar.
