It is now official: All is not well at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority’s (SGPDA) mega retail fish market at the Old Market, Margao.
A joint inspection of the SGPDA Retail Fish Market carried out on June 17 by a team headed by the Chairman of the Consumer Conciliation Committee, Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Panaji, has revealed that the market premises and its surrounding areas were not being maintained in a satisfactory sanitary condition.
In a report submitted to the Director of Health Services, the Margao Urban Health Officer observed that the sanitation issues primarily related to the improper handling and disposal of garbage, fish waste and other solid waste, which was found strewn at several locations within and around the market complex.
“It appeared that regular cleaning and proper waste management measures were not being undertaken adequately. SGPDA itself is the agency responsible for looking after these functions of the market complex,” the report stated.
The inspection team also noted that effluent generated from fish handling and other related activities was seeping out of the market premises into nearby drains, raising concerns over environmental hygiene.
The report further pointed out that water stagnation was noticed at a few locations around the market complex. However, no mosquito breeding was detected at the time of the inspection.
On the issue of reports that the market has been functioning for nearly two decades without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the health authorities from the sanitation and public health perspective, the Urban Health Officer stated that the Urban Health Centre (UHC), Margao, has written to the Member Secretary of SGPDA seeking submission of a copy of any such NOC, if one had been issued by the UHC.
Stating that a response from SGPDA is still awaited, the report added that further action, if necessary, would be taken after examining the authority’s reply and the relevant documents, if produced.
