the goan I network
QUEPEM
Two years have passed since the demolition of old municipal market at Quepem and uncertainty continues to prevail over the construction of proposed new market complex.
People have been forced to do their weekly shopping along a busy two-way Quepem-Cuncolim road, as vendors occupy both sides of the road.
During the Sunday Market at Quepem, vendors from Belgavi, Hubli, Karwar and other parts of Goa come to sell their goods as lot of people from Quepem and surrounding villages come for their weekly shopping.
The outstation vendors set up multiple stalls on both sides of the road with vegetable, fruits, cloth material, readymade garments and plastic household items, while vendors from Belgavi come with chillies, garlic and tamarind.
In a bid to make a quick buck, the vendors are seen inching closer to the main road and occupy corners of the road, making it difficult for free movement of traffic.
This poses a serious danger as buses and heavy trucks moving along the road while people are busy making purchases by the roadside.
The old Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) market building was vacated fearing public safety and some shopkeepers were shifted to the new building opposite the Quepem Post office and some were accommodated in makeshift shops in the Quepem market.
Fish and vegetable vendors were shifted to a makeshift shade in property leased from the Quepem Urban Co-Op Society behind the cemetery .
The present condition is such that vendors have no other option but to sell their goods amid unbearable stench in the area.
Although there are few traffic police to monitor traffic flow during the Sunday market, the absence of market inspectors is felt as vendors have been inching towards the main road on grounds that market inspectors have allotted the place to them.
“Vendors should be allowed to put up stalls at the old municipal building site which is remains unoccupied. Earlier, there was no place for vendors and now, there is no sign of construction of a market complex. Hence, vendors should be shifted there to prevent any mishap,” said a social worker Joaquim Fernandes.
Another social worker, Selvy Miranda, questioned the indifferent attitude of the QMC.
“All councillors are aware of the hardship faced by people and their inability to take a quick and favourable solution is questionable. Being elected representatives, they must think collectively and resolve this issue quickly,” he said.
‘Tenders floated thrice, but no takers’
QUEPEM: The Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) had planned a four-storeyed market complex, with a fish and vegetable market on the ground floor and a multipurpose hall on the top floor to be financed by GSUDA at an estimated cost of Rs 11.25 crore.
As demolition of the old market building began on November 28, 2017, one councillor complained to the police that the demolition was carried out without following proper procedure, thereby stopping further demolition.
The building was finally demolished fully and debris was cleared in January, but there is no certainty regarding the construction of the new market complex.
Sources said the government has sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the project and despite floating tenders on three occasions, there are no takers for this project.
Many people have been left wondering about the purpose of sanctioning only Rs 6 crore, when the project was initially estimated at Rs 11.25 crore. However, QMC officials have been reluctant to part with the details of the project.
