MARGAO
With just 25 days to go for the commencement of the new fishing season on August 1, the clock is ticking for the state government and the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) to take a call on the inauguration of the redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market “ the only wholesale fish market in the state of Goa.
As work on the re-developed wholesale fish market building is complete in all respects, fishermen, fish traders as well as customers alike have been left to wonder whether the new market building, redeveloped under central funding, will be opened for the stakeholders right before the start of the new fishing season.
A visit to the imposing market building reveals that infrastructure such as fish trading platforms and office spaces are in place. However, fish trading activity continues to take place outside the building in a stinking environment outside. With the imposing buildings not put to use for the last several months, stray dogs have literally made the new building their second home.
What has raised apprehensions as well as speculations amongst the stakeholders is the delay in inaugurating the market building, more so when plans were unveiled earlier this year to inaugurate the market on January 26. Six months down the line, the spacious market infrastructure by spending crores of rupees remains idle, raising questions over bureaucratic delays and missed deadlines.
Interestingly, work of soling with rubble stones on the open ground housing the existing wholesale fish market is underway, only throwing up questions whether it will take some more time for the inauguration of the newly-built facility.
“Why this soling work when the SGPDA has announced plans to inaugurate the redeveloped market? Or are we to assume it will take some time for the PDA to inaugurate the market,” questioned a stakeholder.
SGPDA Chairman, MLA Krishna Daji Salkar told The Goan on Sunday that the PDA will finalise the inauguration date after a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. “I have sought an appointment with the Chief Minister for a meeting this week to discuss and decide all issues concerning the wholesale fish market”, he added.
Incidentally, the PDA Chairman had told the media last month that all issues concerning the wholesale fish market and its inauguration will be resolved during a meeting with the Chief Minister on June 17, but in vain.
As the fishing community gears up for a busy season, pressure mounts on the SGPDA and the state government to act swiftly and ensure that the modernized infrastructure is put to timely and effective use. Whether the market will finally open its doors before August 1 remains the pressing question on everyone’s mind.
