the goan I network
VASCO
The much-awaited new fish market complex in Vasco will finally see the light of day, after various stakeholders on Tuesday morning finally agreed on plans drawn up by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA).
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar along with other MMC councillors conducted a joint meeting in the Vasco fish market on Tuesday along with GSUDA officials, fish vendors and heads of various fishing bodies based in Vasco.
GSUDA engineers put forth the plan for the proposed fish market complex before the stakeholders and though there were initial hiccups and concerns, the fish vendors finally agreed to the plan and gave MMC the green signal to construct the fish market complex.
A GSUDA engineer said the new fish market complex would have basement parking, a ground floor with space for around 300 fish vendors and a first floor on space-sharing basis for vendors selling dry fish and traditional Goan fruits and vegetables.
The market will also have an open terrace above the fist floor to be used to dry fish, the engineer said.
Later speaking to the media, an elated MMC Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar said it was a great achievement to have resolved a deadlock which was pending for several years.
“I have been MMC chairperson for barely a month now and I had this fish market top on my agenda. I wanted to take up this work during my tenure and so I took keen interest in this project.”
“I also decided to follow up with GSUDA about the market plans. After I realized there was a confusion, I made sure GSUDA officials came to the Vasco fish market to display the plans to fish vendors and consult them,” said Gaonkar.
President of Vasco Fish Market Caridade Pereira said the vendors had agreed to the plans. “We have seen the plan and we have agreed to it as the MMC has assured to build the complex according to our requirements. MMC Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar even gave us a copy of the plan so that we can check the plans in detail and show it to our advocate for a second opinion,” said Pereira.
