TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Barely two months after Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) had cleared encroachments on footpaths at the Upper Bazzar, Ponda, roadside vendors have returned to occupy the footpaths.
It may be recalled that PMC had cleared encroachments on footpaths in July and had shifted fruit vendors in front of the new market complex. The drive was undertaken following a decision taken during a joint meeting with government officials and PMC, which was chaired by Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar.
The meeting was convened to discuss ways and means to streamline traffic in the city and as a first step, it was decided to shift roadside vendors and clear encroachments on footpaths along the road at Upper Bazzar area. Similar drives were planned elsewhere in the city.
However, PMC’s anti-encroachment drive seems to have left little impact as roadside vendors have resurfaced at Upper Bazzar area.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, vendors who have been shifted in front of the new market complex at Upper Bazzar, complained that it was unfair to allow some fruit vendors to operate from the footpaths.
When contacted, PMC Municipal Inspector Mahadev Naik claimed that there were no encroachments, but assured to take action if vendors are found using the footpaths.
“After the drive in July, there has been a control on encroachments and action will be taken against the vendors, if they are found using footpaths. Many times, vendors swiftly move from the place after we conduct an anti-encroachment drive but return to the site a short while later,” said Naik.
