A total of 39 illegal carts and roadside shops have been identified within the Margao Munic ipal Council limits as part of a state wide survey con ducted across 12 munici palities in Goa. These encroachments, mostly involved in selling food and beverages, are set up along public roads and footpaths, leading to traffic congestion, blocked pedestrian pathways, and hygiene issues. According to senior offi cials from the Urban Devel opment Department, 357 such illegal carts and shops have been identified across the state. Only two munici palities — Curchorem and Mormugao — reported no encroachments, indicating that the issue is widespread in most urban areas. The highest number of encroachments was re ported in Mapusa, with 45 illegal roadside setups, fol lowed closely by Pernem (44), Cuncolim (43), Can acona (42), and Bicholim (36). Other municipalities with notable figures include Margao (39), Valpoi (32), Sanquelim (30), Quepem (23), Ponda (19), Panaji (3), and Sanguem (1). The Urban Development Department confirmed that it had received detailed lists from the municipalities af ter a physical inspection in each area. These reports have been compiled, but no unified policy or guideline has been issued yet to reg ulate or legalize these road side businesses. A senior department of ficial stated, “The depart ment has not yet framed any policy to regularise commercial encroachments on public roads. The re sponsibility to take action lies entirely with the re spective municipal councils under the Goa Municipal ities Act, 1968. In the case of Panaji, the relevant law is the Corporation of the City of Panaji Act, 2022.” As per these laws, munici pal bodies have full authority to remove illegal structures, seize goods, and clear pub lic spaces of encroach ments. The department clar ified that it cannot directly intervene in enforcement. Despite the increasing number of such roadside vendors and their impact on urban infrastructure, there is still no standard framework in place for ei ther their removal or reha bilitation. Urban planners and experts argue that a comprehensive street vend ing policy is urgently need ed to balance livelihood concerns with urban order. Until such a policy is im plemented, action against illegal roadside vendors will continue to depend on the discretion and will of individual municipal coun cils like Margao, which must now decide how to address the growing issue.
