JULIO D’SILVA
Julio@herald-goa.com
Verandahs of buildings that were used as footpaths have now been converted into trade centres with the Margao Municipal Council not even being aware of it. People find it difficult to move and motorists find it difficult due to the crowd spilling onto the streets. Traffic jams are the order of the day at these places which operate late after the sun has set. Some of them are not registered with the MMC so the council does not earn any revenue by way of taxes.
At Old Market, Manush bar and restaurant was an old establishment which has since been shut and the owner rented it out. However it shut down too and someone is now running a tandoor on the verandah. By erecting temporary counters, different types of chicken dishes are baked in the tandoor erected in the verandah. It attracts a good crowd and business is very good. Cars are parked nearby to carry the take away.
At the other end of Margao, an old restaurant and bar existed at the level crossing has now been taken over. During the day the restaurant is in the premises but in the evening it undergoes a new look. Temporary counters are erected on the verandah and marinated chicken pieces or beef chunks are deep fried and sold to customers. The number of customers often causes a traffic jam.
Another verandah further south is taken over totally by different vendors. While during the day there are two fruit vendors, however, in the evening, there is a person selling all kinds of snacks including grams, chicken fried, chicken lollipop, batatwadas, bhajias etc. Close by another fellow sells rice pops or chirmuleo and other snacks.
MMC Chief Office Y B Tawde while admitting no vendors were supposed to be on the verandah, he admitted they were vary of Manush, one of the parties involved because he had taken the council to court and the matter was still pending.
As for the other places, he said even though the people were warned and their materials seized, they would resume business after a while.
