MAPUSA
After tasting success in organizing a plastic free Bodgeshwar Zatra, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has now set its eyes on Mapusa market.
MMC chairperson, Rohan Kavlekar on Thursday informed that the civic body will ban use and sale of plastic carry bags in Mapusa market from January 26.
"Our effort to hold plastic free Bodgeshwar Zatra was a roaring success. We will now extend the experiment to Mapusa market," Kavlekar said.
The council will first target the vegetable and fruit vendors and depending on the response will slowly extend it to the fish market.
"Bodgeshwar Zatra was a temporary event as it was held for a few days. But in Mapusa market a lasting solution will have to be found," the chairperson said.
He said the civic body will take the help of all the councilors and rope in various groups such as NGOs, self-help groups, devasthan committee members, Mapusa Merchants Association, educational institutes, etc, to create awareness on stopping use of plastic in the market.
"We have not yet decided what alternative to offer to the vendors in place of plastic bags. But we will take the help of officials of the Solid Waste Management Corporation to weigh in on the various option available," Kavlekar said.
The chairperson further said there was no need for the council to take a resolution to ban plastic, as the council had taken such a resolution in the past.
Expecting a good response from vendors and shopkeepers in the market, he said at Bodgeshwar Zatra the civic body along with the temple committee and the officials of the Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation worked as a team to eliminate plastic use.
"The experiment at Bodgini gave us the confidence to go ahead and implement it in Mapusa market," he said.
MMC to outsource maintenance of vegetable, fish market
MAPUSA: Unable to ensure cleanliness in the market, Mapusa civic body has decided to outsource maintenance of the fish and vegetable market in Mapusa.
"The council has completed all the processes to outsource the maintenance of the vegetable and fish market. Soon, the council will float tenders inviting interested parties," said Rohan Kavlekar, chairperson, Mapusa
Municipal Council.
Outsourcing of maintenance has proved to be huge success at major government hospitals like the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim and the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo), Mapusa.
"Outsourcing of maintenance has paid rich dividends. The chief minister has also appreciated the move and has given a green signal to the plan," a councilor disclosed.
Almost 15 tonnes of garbage is generated per day in Mapusa market, while around 25 tonnes of waste is generated per day in the entire city.
