Team Herald
VASCO: The seven-day annual Vasco Damodar Bhajani Saptah celebrations will begin on July 28 this year.
A special meeting was held in this regard by Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Monday, where it was proposed to ban the movement of heavy vehicle traffic through Vasco city road during 24 hours of Bhajani Saptah celebrations to be held at Damodar temple in Vasco.
Giving details of the special meeting, MMC Chairman Deepak Naik said the meeting was called primarily for two reasons: to fix the number of days for Saptah celebrations and to discuss the letter from Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, seeking council’s approval for swimming pool project at Orulem.
“During the Saptah movement of vehicles on Swatantra Path would be stopped for seven days. Similarly except for furniture and traditional utensils stalls, other stalls would have to be removed on the seventh day,” Naik said, adding that proper arrangements for parking of four-wheelers were made near Hotel Tania, at Orulem, which has been identified for swimming pool, but presently was filled with construction debris.
The Council has also proposed to lay stress on cleanliness and sanitation during the annual Saptah celebration, while increasing the fees for setting up stalls.
While we aim to collect Rs 1500 per square metre from vendors intending to set up stalls, a separate fee of Rs 100 for garbage would be collected, he said, adding that the council aims at making this year’s Saptah plastic free.
The meeting also discussed the issue of swimming pool project and members were keen to see the project presentation.
Presently we have decided to approve the project so that a consultant could be appointed, as Vasco desperately needed swimming pool facility, he said.
Meanwhile, in another meeting called by the council to discuss different arrangements to be made during the Saptah celebrations, it was unanimously decided to install watch towers and CCTV cameras at all important locations and cross-roads to ensure round-the-clock vigil.
The meeting was attended by the officials of state administration including officials from police, traffic police, RTO, Fire, Excise department, MPT, Oil companies, besides Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida.
The meet was called to check the preparedness for Saptah, besides also to oversee important issues like CCTV, maintaining cleanliness, security, health and sanitation, drinking water facilities, mobile toilets etc.
Similarly for smooth flow of traffic movement the road leading from Khariwado would be opened during Saptah.
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vendor banned
The Council has also decided to ban a lady vendor, Shaila from setting up stall during Saptah.
The Chief Officer, MMC Deepali Naik said the Council had decided not to grant permission to the lady vendor for setting up stall during the fair, as she has been accusing the council for no obvious reasons for the past few years. On two occasions she even tried to commit suicide for not getting the stall space of her choice.
