MAPUSA
The fish, chicken and mutton market building in Mapusa has turned into a picture of neglect, with rotting walls, stained staircases, broken bottles and heaps of unused junk dumped in corners.
The unhygienic conditions not only make the place unbearable for vendors and shoppers but also raise serious health concerns.
Shoppers and vendors say the unhygienic conditions make daily operations a nightmare.
“I can’t even walk without stepping on waste, and the smell is unbearable,” said one regular shopper.
Another added, “It’s shocking that such a busy market is allowed to remain in this condition.”
Despite being the responsibility of the Mapusa Municipal Council, the premises opposite the Government Office Complex are left without regular cleaning or maintenance.
Some time ago, the Health Department had also found several stalls operating without the mandatory health permissions, but the lapses remain unchecked.
Consumer rights body GOACAN has now stepped in, writing to the Director of Health Services Dr Rupa Naik and FDA Director Shweta S Dessai, demanding immediate intervention.
In its letters, GOACAN has called for an inspection of the market building, a review of whether daily sanitation is being followed, and action under the Goa Public Health Act, 1985, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The group has also questioned the absence of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to monitor cleanliness and sought accountability from the Sanitary Inspector of the Urban Health Centre and the DFDA Food Inspector.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said the matter goes beyond Mapusa, warning that unless stricter measures are enforced, similar unhygienic conditions will continue to plague markets across Goa.
