MAPUSA
Once a symbol of efficient urban planning by the Portuguese, the sprawling Mapusa Municipal Market (MMC) is now a chaotic, overcrowded mess, struggling under the weight of poor management, rampant illegalities, and a disregard for civic discipline.
Once heralded as one of Goa's best markets, it has since lost its charm, becoming a prime example of urban decay.
The market, designed with broad footpaths and ample space to accommodate both vendors and consumers, has long exceeded its carrying capacity.
Today, the market is severely congested, with every inch of available space overtaken by vendors and encroached upon by shopkeepers, leaving little room for shoppers to navigate.
Encroachment, negligence
A landmark judgement by the High Court of Bombay at Goa had once ordered the removal of illegal extensions by shopkeepers, specifically targeting those occupying public footpaths intended for pedestrians.
However, this judicial mandate has largely been ignored, turning the enforcement process into a profit-making business.
Authorities occasionally clamp down on the illegalities, but the encroachments soon return, highlighting the lack of sustained action by local authorities.
Shekar Naik, a conscious Mapusa resident, lamented the degradation of the market’s infrastructure.
“The Portuguese gave us such a spacious market, but we have reduced it to a chaotic place. It’s tragic to see elderly citizens struggling to walk due to the overwhelming congestion,” Naik remarked, emphasising the deteriorating situation, particularly on Fridays – the market day – and during festivals when crowds swell even further.
Vendors overrun the market
One of the primary factors contributing to the chaos is the unchecked rise in the number of vendors.
With far more sellers than the market can reasonably accommodate, the open spaces, once meant for circulation, have now turned into densely packed areas, leaving little room for consumers to move about freely.
The market, designed for convenience and comfort, is now difficult to navigate, frustrating both regular customers and tourists alike.
The issue is compounded on Fridays and during major festivals, where the market’s popularity surges, making it almost impossible to walk freely.
What should be a vibrant and bustling space has become a source of stress for visitors, particularly for senior citizens who face immense difficulty weaving through the tight alleys.
Parking woes
Parking in and around the market has become another major concern. The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has attempted to address the issue by converting two lanes in the market into pay-parking zones. However, this has done little to alleviate the problem.
Most parking spaces within the market are taken over by shopkeepers and their employees, leaving minimal room for consumers. Those who come to shop in Mapusa are left with no choice but to park haphazardly, further exacerbating the congestion in an already crowded market.
Ashirvad Khorjuvenkar, an MMC councillor and former chairman of the municipal market, emphasised that the goal of pay parking should not be merely revenue generation but to bring about disciplined parking habits.
“The people must cooperate with the authorities by parking properly. The objective should be discipline, not profit,” Khorjuvenkar stated, voicing concerns shared by many Mapusa residents.
Unhygienic conditions, poor infrastructure
Adding to the list of problems is the unsanitary state of the market. Vendors and shopkeepers regularly dump garbage in any available space, creating a shabby, unhygienic environment. This not only detracts from the market's appeal but also poses health risks.
Despite the presence of numerous tourists and locals, the market’s surroundings are often littered with trash, giving visitors a poor impression of the once-celebrated town.
Another glaring issue is the lack of functioning public amenities.
The market, which sees hundreds of people daily, has only two working toilets – one near the fish market and the other near the pottery market. A third toilet near Shantadurga Hotel has been out of order for years, despite ongoing repair work.
The lack of sufficient, clean restrooms has further disillusioned visitors, who are often forced to leave the market sooner than planned due to discomfort.
Security concerns
Another critical shortfall is the absence of CCTV surveillance, a vital component of market security. In an area as densely packed as the Mapusa market, the lack of proper surveillance leaves consumers and vendors vulnerable to theft and other crimes.
With thousands of people visiting the market daily, effective security measures are urgently needed.
Mapusa Councillor Prakash Bhivshet expressed frustration over the lack of a cohesive management system.
“There is no discipline and absolutely no system in the Mapusa municipal market. We were elected to administer the town, but we ourselves don’t know what we are doing,” Bhivshet admitted, highlighting the dysfunction at the very core of the market’s management.
The market, once a pride of Mapusa, now struggles with its growing pains, leaving residents and officials alike to wonder when the much-needed reforms will finally be implemented.
