The unloading platforms built in the redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market remaining idle. The tarred portion of the market open space is now being eyed by the fish traders. Santosh Mirajkar
GUILHERME ALMEIDA
MARGAO
Even after crores of rupees were spent on the redevelopment of the Margao Wholesale Fish Market, a fresh proposal from wholesale fish traders has triggered a debate over the intended purpose of the newly-constructed infrastructure.
The fish traders have urged the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) to allow them to conduct their wholesale business from the recently tarred open space inside the market complex, while suggesting that the newly-constructed market buildings with unloading platforms be allotted to local Goan fishing communities.
The proposal was put forward during an inspection of the redeveloped market by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) Chairman Michael Lobo in the presence of SGPDA Chairman Krishna Salkar on Thursday.
The traders’ demand has raised significant questions over whether they are unwilling to shift their operations to the newly-developed wholesale market platforms and instead prefer to continue business from the open area, which has now been surfaced with hot-mix asphalt by the Public Works Department (PWD).
Proposal sparks debate
Representatives of the Margao Wholesale Fish Market traders informed the visiting officials that they would be satisfied if the tarred open space was officially allocated to them for carrying out wholesale fish trading activities.
The traders also conveyed that they would have no objection if the newly-constructed market buildings and elevated platforms were handed over to local fishing communities, including traditional fishermen and boat owners.
The suggestion, however, has raised a fundamental question: Whom were the newly-built unloading platforms actually meant for — wholesale fish traders or local fishermen?
The infrastructure created under the redevelopment project was primarily designed to facilitate wholesale fish trading by allowing fish-laden trucks and other commercial vehicles to unload fish boxes directly onto elevated platforms, enabling smoother handling and auctioning of fish to retailers.
On the other hand, traditional fishing communities — including ramponkars, magkars and owners of small fishing boats — generally bring their daily catch in baskets and have historically carried out their fish-selling activities from the ground level rather than through unloading platforms.
Future of Phase-II works come under spotlight
The traders’ proposal has also raised concerns about the future implementation of the second phase of the market redevelopment project.
The open space, which was recently tarred by the PWD to improve sanitation and eliminate the persistent stench in the market, is understood to have been earmarked for infrastructure planned under Phase-II of the redevelopment programme.
According to sources, the area is proposed to accommodate several facilities, including a modern cold storage unit—one of the key components of the centrally-funded redevelopment project.
If the SGPDA or the GSIDC accepts the traders’ proposal and permanently allocates the open space for wholesale trading, questions are bound to arise over where the proposed cold storage facility will eventually be constructed.
Cold storage yet to materialise
The delay in establishing the cold storage unit has once again come under scrutiny.
The Margao Wholesale Fish Market redevelopment project was funded by the Central government, with the cold storage facility forming one of its most important components. The facility was envisioned to enable local fishermen to preserve their catch for longer periods, reduce distress sales and secure better market prices.
However, despite the completion of major redevelopment works, the cold storage project has yet to take off.
The latest proposal by the wholesale traders has therefore added another dimension to the ongoing debate over the utilisation of the redeveloped market infrastructure, which has been lying unutilised till date though the market was handed over to the SGPDA by the GSIDC last year.
