PWD clears makeshift market in Sanvordem

Kiosk owners dismantling their structures near the Sanvordem bridge.

SANGUEM
The PWD on Saturday got the locals to clear their kiosks from the makeshift market in the PWD road setback area near Sanvordem bridge.
Acting on directives of the PWD, the locals removed their structures from the site, but many aggrieved kiosk owners blamed the PWD and Sanvordem panchayat for forcing them to remove their structures.
According to locals, most of the temporary stalls were put up by members of mining-affected people after a halt in the mining business in the State.
While some kiosks dealt with the sale of fish, vegetables and fruits, there were some other stalls and other items of daily use.
The kiosk owners claimed that their structures were located at a considerable distance from the main road and their occupation had not affected traffic in any way.
The PWD in a recent order to the Sanvordem panchayat directed the removal of all temporary kiosks at the site.
Former Sanvordem sarpanch Sanjay Naik termed the move to suddenly remove the temporary kiosks as unwarranted.
“Most of the kiosks in the area were locals affected by the closure of mining activities,” he said.
Admitting that the kiosks were illegal, Naik claimed that the kiosks had not affected traffic as the structures were located several metres away from the main road.
“The PWD should have come with some alternate solutions on safety measures rather than making the poor people permanently remove their business structure, on which they earned their livelihood,” said Naik.
Another citizen, Caitano Fernandes, echoed similar sentiments and said the kiosks near the Sanvordem bridge did not cause any hurdles and wondered why the PWD had resorted to sudden action against the locals.

Cannot permit illegalities on govt land: Cabral
SANGUEM: PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral claimed that some kiosk owners had resorted to permanent structures as if they are owners of the property.
“We cannot permit such illegalities on government land. The fish business was being carried out in the area without any cleanliness measures in place,” explained Cabral.
“It is government land acquired by PWD for the specific purpose of parking vehicles and other related use, and not for business purposes.”
When asked, if the PWD has considered any measures to house the displaced kiosk owners at an alternate place, Cabral replied in the negative.
“It is the responsibility of the panchayat to provide them a suitable place for business activities,” the minister said.
Incidentally, the makeshift fish market near the Sanvordem bridge since the last five years had generated considerable business as people did not find the need to go to the Curchorem fish market, which has been plagued with parking problems.