Herald: What exactly are you opposed to: the holding of the fair in the Gracia De Orta Garden area or blocking access to your establishments?
Fernandes: Our opposition is for holding the fair in the area as it not only blocks the access to our establishments but it blocks vehicular traffic, leaves no parking space and above all it leads to unhygienic conditions. Our strong demand is that the fair be shifted elsewhere.
Herald: Won’t shifting the fair to another area lead to opposition by shop and establishment owners there too?
Fernandes: Obviously. Hence we feel that it should be shifted out of the city. It should be somewhere in an open area, where there can be proper parking facilities and proper public movement. In the city there will be opposition as these people litter and block the entire area.
Herald: This is a traditional fair and held for just three days in a year. Won’t it be wise on your part to cooperate with CCP?
Fernandes: We agree this is a traditional fair but are traditional vendors or hawkers given priority here? You see all non-Goans with their stalls.
We are not against holding the fair or celebrating the feast but not at the cost of someone’s livelihood.
We suffer huge business losses during these three days. We are ready to cooperate with the CCP provided they assure us that only traditional vendors will be allowed and that there would be proper management.
