Matoli bazaar back along Panaji promenade

PANAJI: The traditional ashtamichi feri or matoli bazaar is back on the busy riverfront promenade despite protests from citizens in the past over traffic congestion. Authorities said the Campal venue is unsuitable for the annual fair.
With Ganesh Chaturthi round the corner, the stalls have already been set up along the promenade from the limits of Campal to the Panaji market.Traditionally, the fair was being held on the riverfront, but had been shifted for many years to the Campal parade ground.
Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) officials justified the shifting of the fair due to the submergence of Campal ground in debris dumping and its unhygienic conditions. "It was shifted due to waterlogging, stench and nuisance of garbage and traffic problems," mayor Surendra Furtado said.
Traffic police officials insisted that smooth traffic movement will be maintained. "We have posted eight Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) lady constables and three head constables along D B Marg to handle traffic and the service lane, traffic police inspector of Panaji Dharmesh Angle said.
When asked if he has received any complaints regarding traffic, he said there have been some calls, but no official complaints. He also maintained that there was no dialogue between the CCP and him over posting of officials.
Stall owners are unhappy over the slack market. Shifting from the parade ground was beneficial last year, they said. "Three days have passed now but last year, by now, we had business of at least 2 lakh," said a stall owner.
Some stall owners are hoping the week-long fair will be different from the Vasco Saptah. Margao-based furniture trader M Khan says, "We incurred losses of 15,000 per day due to poor business this year at the Saptah.
Hussain Shaikh, a transporter for stall owners, said that the market has drastically gone down. He added, "About 10-15 years ago I used to sell furniture at these fairs. Even this year, one can't see 'heavy customers'. Last year was better."
Another trader Satish Mehta agrees, "Last year we had good business. People used to at least inquire about the prices and then take a call. This year, the market is slacking and the number of customers have reduced."
Furtado said, "This year, we have reduced the number of stall allotments and will reduce it further next year. I have noticed the meagre crowd that the bazaar has been attracting and we are looking to improve."