CCMC decides to keep all footpaths free from encroachments

CURCHOREM: "More than 40 per cent traders keep their vehicles in front of their own shops in the market thus occupying the parking denying parking for the public who come for shopping in Curchorem market," said Power Minister Nilesh Cabral.
Speaking to media persons after the special meeting of Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) held with the traders on Wednesday, Cabral said that as per the Curchorem traffic cell information more than 40 per cent shop owners park their own vehicle in front of their shops in marked parking area for maximum period of time of the day thus denying parking for general public who come for shopping and therefore requested the traders to park their vehicle at alternate site away from the market so that people can get sufficient place to park their vehicles for few minutes.
Curchorem Market Association president Rocha Pereira said that council has assigned them responsibility to organise the market properly on temporary basis with the help of municipality after they had a discussion with municipal authority. "Since this is mining orientated place and the market is totally down and business community are facing several difficulties, therefore we requested the council to allow the street vendors to occupy only the passages of the buildings by keeping the footpaths totally clear from encroachments only during Sunday bazar day and rest of the days it will remain free from encroachments," assured Pereira.
Chairperson of CCMC, Balkrishna (Pinty) Hodarkar said that as per his personal opinion it is not right to allow the street vendors to occupy the passages as a separate vendor zone has been created near the GSUDA market as per the Supreme Court order. But since the majority council members agreed to allow them for one month on trial basis as requested by the association, he has to obey their decision. "We will not be responsible if the old street vendors who were shifted in the vendor zone near GSUDA market as per Supreme Court direction raised objection for allowing new street vendors to sit in passages of the building within one metre from the shutters of the shops as requested by the association and therefore we told the association to organise the market on trial basis for one month and later we will take the necessary decision accordingly.
According to Chief Officer Ajay Gaude, the council had taken a decision to keep all the passages/footpaths free from encroachments as per the Supreme Court order and accordingly they shifted them suitably in the vendor zone and that was functioning smoothly and all vendors were happy. "I cannot be a part of decision making but my duty is to advice the council and I clearly advised them that as per law nobody can occupy the open spaces or footpaths/passages for marketing," said Gaude and added that he clearly advised the council not to take any decision to allow street vendors in building passages nor shop owners to keep their goods within one metre from their shutters which will violate the High Court/Supreme Court order.

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