Goa Gazette, No. 2627-3, 18 April 2026

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Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026 RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410 Panaji, ¹⁸th April, ²⁰²⁶ (Chaitra ²⁸, ¹⁹⁴⁸) SERIES III No. 3

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

EXTRAORDINARY

GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Department of Home

Office of the Deputy Collector and Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bicholim

Order

No. DCB/BICH/DEVI/Lairai-Shirgao/Jatra/1321

(Issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023)

Whereas, the Annual Jatra of Shree Devi Lairai at Shirgao, Bicholim is scheduled on 21-04-2026 and a very large congregation of devotees is expected in and around the temple precincts, Homkhand area, Main Tali, holding areas, approach roads and adjoining public places;

And whereas, the Event Management Plan dated 31-03-2026 issued by the Office of the Collector and District Disaster Management Authority, North Goa has identified the festival area in six operational zones and has prescribed strict crowd regulation, unobstructed access routes, emergency preparedness and inter- departmental coordination for safe conduct of the Jatra;

And whereas, the order dated 27-02-2026 issued by this office under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has already constituted a Joint Task Force for regulation of public places, enforcement of safety norms and removal of unauthorised structures in connection with the Jatra;

And whereas, the order dated 10-04-2026 issued by the Collector and Chairperson, DDMA, North Goa approving erection of stalls in specified zones is subject to conditions, including regulation of location, timing and enforcement of the approved layout, and further provides that stalls proposed from the second day onwards shall be erected only after 10:00 a.m. on 22-04-2026;

And whereas, the period from 6:00 p.m. on 21-04-2026 till 8:00 a.m. on 22-04-2026 is expected to witness a very large congregation of devotees in view of the Homkhand ritual and all antecedent and consequential activities in the vicinity of the temple, resulting in dense crowd movement, heightened public safety concerns and the necessity of keeping all access routes, pedestrian corridors and emergency movement corridors free from obstruction;

And whereas, I am satisfied that immediate preventive restrictions on the operation of stalls, shops, hotels and similar structures in all zones covered under the Event Management Plan are necessary in the interest of public safety, crowd management and maintenance of unobstructed emergency access during the said period; Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected] 399 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES III No. 3 (EXTRAORDINARY) 18TH APRIL, 2026 Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, I, Shubham Naik, Deputy Collector & Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bicholim Sub- Division, hereby order as follows:-

1. All stalls, shops, hotels and similar temporary or permanent commercial structures operating within all zones of the Event Management Plan for Shri Devi Lairai Jatra, Shirgao, shall remain strictly closed and non-operational from 6:00 p.m. on 21-04-2026 till 8:00 a.m. on 22-04-2026. However, this restriction shall not apply to the stalls specifically approved by the Collector and Chairperson, DDMA, North Goa vide order dated 10-04-2026, which shall continue to remain governed by the terms and conditions of the said order.

2. During the aforesaid period, no person shall carry on sale, service, cooking, storage, display of goods, customer entry, or any allied commercial activity from any stall, shop, hotel or similar structure in any of the notified zones, except in so far as permitted under the aforesaid order dated 10-04-2026 in respect of approved stalls.

3. No person shall erect, reopen, permit access to, or otherwise operate any unauthorised stall, shop, hotel or similar structure during the aforesaid restricted period, whether or not any claim of permission is made.

4. This restriction shall apply to all unauthorised stalls, shops, hotels and similar structures falling within or affecting the operational zones, access routes, pedestrian corridors, holding areas, Homkhand area, Main Tali area and emergency movement corridors.

5. The Mamlatdar, Bicholim Taluka, as In-Charge Officer of the Joint Task Force, shall ensure strict enforcement of this order.

6. The Joint Task Force comprising the Mamlatdar, Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Electricity Department, PWD (Roads), PWD (Buildings) and Secretary, Village Panchayat Shirgao shall take immediate steps for compliance, including closure of unauthorised operations, removal of offending obstruction and such further action as may be necessary in the interest of public safety.

7. The Police Inspector, Bicholim Police Station and other police officers on bandobast duty shall provide necessary assistance for enforcement of this order and prevention of any breach thereof.

8. Any violation of this order by any person operating any stall, shop, hotel or similar structure otherwise than in accordance with the Collector's order dated 10-04-2026 shall render the concerned person liable to immediate action by the Joint Task Force and shall also invite penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, besides such other action as may be permissible under law.

9. This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain operative for the period stated above, unless modified by further orders.

Given under my hand and seal on this 18th day of April, 2026.

Shubham Naik, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bicholim.

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