Officials of MMC, SGPDA, GSPCB and representatives of the fish traders inspecting the wholesale fish market upon High Court directions.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
With the thermocol waste and the nuisance in and around the wholesale fish market coming under close scanner of the High Court and the Court issuing directions to hold an urgent inspection, officials of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), SGPDA, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) besides representatives of the wholesale fish traders descended at the wholesale fish market on Wednesday evening.
Unlike the past when the MMC and the SGPDA resorted to blame game in the collection and disposal of waste and other issues plaguing the market area, officials of the two bodies agreed to work in coordination towards the improvement of the market.
MMC Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar was heard telling SGPDA Member Secretary Sheikh Ali that the Civic body would clear the garbage, including thermocol waste from the market. The representatives of the wholesale fish traders agreed to cooperate by providing two labourers to ensure the maintenance of the area. The SGPDA was told to earmark certain areas wherein the MMC would collect the thermocol waste for disposal.
After the inspection, Sankhwalkar told the media that the MMC and the SGPDA are trying to work out a solution to the problem of waste and nuisance. He said that the MMC will convene a meeting of the stakeholders along with the SGPDA to resolve all outstanding isues.
Asked to shed light on the delay in removing the fruit and vegetable vendors from the wholesale fish market road, the Chief Officer said the Municipal inspectors have been told to clear all the vendors doing business along the road from Thursday. As far as the fish vendors doing business outside the wholesale fish market is concerned, the Chief Officer said a solution will be worked out so on.
A representative of the wholesale fish traders said the Association is willing to cooperate for the upkeep and maintenance of the market. “We have offered to provide two labourers for the maintenance of the market”, he said.
Ali sought to blame the wholesale fish traders for disposing of the thermocol waste outside the market on the road . “We will discuss with the traders to work out a solution,” he said, adding “we are hopeful of a solution after the meeting with the stakeholders next week.”
