SALIGAO
The PWD at Patto-Panaji had issued a tender notice on January 12, inviting tenders for the construction of a fish market at the Malim Fisheries Complex, at an estimated cost of `22.39 lakh.
This tender has been finalized and now awaits clearance from the Finance department of the State government.
When contacted, President of Mandovi Fishermen Co-operative Society Menino Afonso confirmed that plans are afoot by the Fisheries department to construct a fish market in the area allotted to the Society.
“The society pays a rent of `7 lakh annually to the government for the area allotted to it and hence, the PWD has no right to construct the fish market in the premises of the Society without our consent,” said Afonso.
“The Penha da Franca panchayat has already constructed a fish shed for fish vendors below the Mandovi Bridge. This shed is lying unutilized as fish vendors prefer to sell their fish in the open space opposite the new fish shed.”
“The money spent on the construction of this shed has gone down the drain. What is the guarantee that fish vendors will sit in the new fish market proposed to be constructed in the premises of the Society,” asked Afonso.
“Besides, if the fish market is constructed in the premises of the Society, who will take the responsibility for its day-to-day maintenance? If the fish market is not cleaned daily, the market will start emitting foul smell.”
“There is a canteen by the side of the area selected for the construction of the fish market. People will be reluctant to visit the canteen if the fish market becomes unhygienic,” Afonso added.
He also complained about the dumping of garbage around the Malim fish jetty.
“The area around the Malim fish jetty has become unhygienic due to dumping of garbage by the kiosks, which have been illegally set up by the roadside.”
“If a fish market is to be constructed in the area, where are the customers going to park their vehicles? All these problems need to be addressed before constructing a fish market in the premises of our Society,” said Afonso.
