Team Herald
MARGAO: After nine long years, the illegal extensions done by Chidambaram Channekar to the premises where he was operating Rekha Bar and Restaurant without even a trade licence, were finally demolished on Tuesday by the Margao Municipal Council in an operation that lasted the whole day and ended at around 8 pm.
MMC Chairperson Dr Babita Prabudessai said the municipality had received various complaints from the locals including Pilar Fathers who have a house next door, against all wrongdoings at the bar and restaurant that was operating without even a trade licence.
“The whole place was dirty and unhygienic and the waste water was released in the open causing an unbearable stink,” she said adding that the fumes from the tandoor and barbeque was also affecting the people as there was no proper exhaust mechanism for that.
Driving along the road in front of the establishment in the night was quite risky as customers used to park their vehicles in a haphazard manner and the noise created by the customers disturbed the peace and sanctity of the area, she said.
MMC had first issued a show cause notice regarding the illegal extensions on September 10, 2008. Subsequently, MMC issued three different demolition orders through different chief officers, but every time the owner succeeded in getting the order stayed.
“This time his appeal before the Municipal Appellate Tribunal was dismissed and we acted quickly to get the illegalities demolished,” said Babita adding that there would be some more demolitions in the future.
“I have also instructed the chief officer to initiate action against the violators by moving for cancellation of their electricity and water connection,” she said.
Incidentally, Channekar is reputed to be politically connected and had unsuccessfully contested the last municipal council elections.
