VASCO
Objecting to a structure being built on a footpath near the old market bus stand to temporarily shift fish vendors of Vasco fish market, the Niz Goenkar Revolutionary Front (NGRF) on Tuesday demanded to know why the old fish market which can house around 170 fish vendors was not being utilised instead.
NGRF Spokesperson Chandrashekar Vasta said NGRF had stopped the GSUDA contractor from taking up work on the footpath outside the present fish market.
"Structures on footpath are a violation of the high court and cannot be permitted as per law. There is an old fish market present in Vasco which has been unutilised and abandoned for a long time. This area can adjust up to 175 fish vendors and has all necessary arrangements.”
“This market has a roof, seating arrangements, drainage system and besides, this place was used for several years by the Vasco market fish vendors till they were shifted to the present Vasco fish market," said Vasta.
"Today, the old market is abandoned and used as a godown by some people who sell locally grown vegetables and poultry, etc. When this market complex is strong and fit, why does the government need to build another structure on the footpath to shift the fish vendors?
“The government can use these premises to temporarily house the fish vendors till the fish market is built. Else, the fish vendors can be permanently located there after conducting repairs, painting and installing fans because the old market even has an electrical connection,” Vasta added.
Vasta said he had put this proposal before the MMC chief officer, but was informed that the fish vendors were not listening to MMC.
"This is unacceptable and the government can use other methods and forcibly bring them to this old market because the provision is already there. The government can utilise this old fish market complex to house the fish vendors temporarily or permanently, instead of just wasting the huge infrastructure which is already available," said Vasta.
