Aldona p’yat to issue notices following HC directive
Illegal stalls set up along the Corjuem side of the bridge’s approach road.
MAPUSA
In compliance with a High Court directive to curb illegal constructions across the State, the Assistant Engineer (AE) of the Public Works Department (PWD), Roads Division, has called upon the Aldona Panchayat to take immediate action against unauthorized stalls and kiosks that have sprung up on government land along the approaches to the Corjuem Bridge.
In a formal letter addressed to the Aldona Sarpanch, Ashwin D’Souza, the Assistant Engineer expressed concern over the presence of these stalls which, he noted, are impeding traffic movement on both sides of the bridge.
“The panchayat has issued licences to stalls and movable carts on land that belongs to the government. You are requested to remove these structures as they are affecting traffic along this important road,” stated the AE in the letter.
The directive follows a larger crackdown initiated under the orders of the High Court, which has instructed local authorities to act decisively against encroachments and unauthorized constructions on public and private lands.
Responding to the PWD’s communication, Sarpanch Ashwin D’Souza acknowledged the issue, stating that most of the stall owners are local residents who had been issued licences for movable carts.
“We are now preparing to issue notices to all the stall and kiosk operators who have set up on land that was acquired by the government during the construction of the Corjuem Bridge,” D’Souza said.
He further suggested that the situation could be resolved more amicably if the PWD were to clearly demarcate the extent of government land in the area.
“If the PWD can demarcate their land, we could consider relocating the stall owners just outside the boundary. However, if no suitable space is available nearby, then the owners will have to look for alternate locations for their businesses,” he explained.
Besides, the Aldona panchayat has already identified around 50 commercial structures along the roadside that are under scrutiny.
According to D’Souza, the panchayat is in the process of issuing notices to these establishments as part of its compliance with the High Court’s ruling.
In parallel, the local talathi has commenced an independent inspection of unauthorized constructions, especially in fields and rural areas within the panchayat’s jurisdiction. This intensified enforcement drive comes amid growing pressure on local bodies to act against violations of land use norms.
