Margao’s mega retail market still struggles with waste woes
Waste dumped on the SGPDA market boundary and the adjoining fields. Unhygienic conditions in the market. Dumping of thermocol boxes and fish crates an eyesore.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
South Goa Planning and Development Authority’s plan to inaugurate the redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market on April 30 may ring in good news as the new market promises to rid Goa’s lone wholesale fish market from stench and stinking environment.
What about SGPDA’s mega retail market located at the Old Market? Are there any plans in the offing to ensure a turnaround at the market complex, with waste and litter around the market the order of the day?
Leave alone the retail fish market, which has been craving for attention after its renovation around a decade ago on the lines of the Dubai fish market, the issue over the waste collection and disposal at the mega retail fish market complex seemed far from over.
A visit to the retail market shows that dry waste is dumped along the boundary, with the waste spreading right in the adjoining fields.
In the past, the SGPDA had taken the stand that waste dumped on the boundary and the adjoining fields is not generated in the retail market. In fact, PDA officials had sought to blame unscrupulous elements from outside for disposing of their dry waste in the market complex.
The situation seemed to have not changed for the better over the last couple of months, with disposal of dry waste on the market boundary and the adjoining fields, continuing unabated.
Commenting on the inauguration of the wholesale fish market on April 30, a retail fish vendor doing business in the PDA retail market wondered whether the PDA has any plan to bring about a turnaround in the retail fish market.
“The retail fish market has been craving for attention for the last 2-3 years. We have only heard assurances from the PDA. The ground situation remains unchanged,” she said.
She added: “It is indeed surprising that when local MLAs, Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai are members of the SGPDA, the retail fish market continues to rot. People have stopped coming to the retail market because of the unhygienic conditions and the stinking environment. Hope better sense prevails on the PDA members, including the local MALs and they all ensure to restore the glory of the retail market complex.”
