Panaji: The Se Old Goa panchayat, on Monday, informed the Bombay high court that 67 handcarts stationed on footpaths in the vicinity of the church complex have been removed. This action comes in response to the court's directive issued last month, which instructed the panchayat to enforce its March 25 order ensuring all footpaths remain free of moving carts, as well as both permanent and temporary structures.
Panchayat's Compliance Report
In an affidavit submitted to the court, panchayat secretary Vidhur Fadte stated that the occupiers themselves removed the handcarts after the panchayat issued show-cause notices, directing them to do so within 10 days. Fadte further added that upon inspection, the panchayat verified that the handcarts had indeed been cleared from the footpaths.
Background of the Case
The high court is currently hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Basavraj Narabali, represented by advocate Vibhav Amonkar. The PIL seeks directions to clear encroachments from footpaths around the church complex and make them easily accessible to pedestrians. The division bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar directed the panchayat secretary to ensure compliance and submit a report to the court regarding the removal of encroachments.
The court's intervention highlights the importance of maintaining pedestrian pathways free from obstructions, ensuring the safety and convenience of visitors and locals alike. The panchayat's proactive step in removing the handcarts is seen as a positive move towards upholding the court's orders and improving the overall cleanliness and accessibility of the area surrounding the historic Old Goa church complex.
