MARGAO: Traders from the markets owned by Margao Municipal Council are of the opinion that the exercise ordered by the South Goa Disaster Management Authority and carried out by the district authorities, pertaining to clearing footpaths, streamlining parking, and installing fire safety measures is just an eye-wash.
Speaking to O Heraldo, vendors even demanded to open the parking spaces of the various buildings located in the market vicinity before identifying new parking slots, and called for action against all those who have converted their parking spaces into commercial establishments.
“What about those who have already acquired and started commercial activities at the place identified for constructing a water tank in the Gandhi Market?” asked Vinod Shirodkar, President of New Market Traders Association.
It is pertinent to note that soon after the meeting at the District collector level in response to the recent fire incident at Margao’s New Market , a team led by Additional Collector Dipak Desai inspected the market and conducted a survey pertaining to issues such as encroachment on footpaths, identifying a spot to erect a water tank, as well as parking slots.
Reacting on the issue, Shirodkar said that the said exercise is just an eye-wash and nothing will happen.
“Why is there no action against all those who have converted their parking area of the building into commercial activities? These parking areas of the buildings located in the heart of the town need to be open which will automatically help to resolve the parking issue in the market,” he stated.
He further questioned the authorities for searching for another land for erecting a water tank, with no inquiry or action against those involved in grabbing the land which was already identified for the project in the past. Shirodkar also said that clearing of footpaths and pavements from encroachments is the duty of the Margao Municipality and they should check on the same continuously.
“We have noticed that many have been deliberately let off the hook, from the drive of clearing the footpaths,” he alleged. He also informed that the day after the drive, many traders and vendors again occupied the footpaths and pavements with encroachments.
