MARGAO
The stage is finally set for the commissioning of the re-developed Goa’s lone wholesale fish market at Margao, but the absence of cold storage unit, the main component of the market project, has left many a question unanswered.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) is expected to get the power connection for the market on Friday, after which the market will be open for inauguration and commissioning. While the government is believed to have set January 26 as the tentative day for the market inauguration, sources said the inauguration programme will be chalked out depending on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s availability given the host of programmes lined up on Republic Day.
As on Thursday, however, all the works proposed in the wholesale fish market are completed, barring the power connection which is expected to be issued on Friday.
The moot question, however, remains unanswered “ when will the government construct the cold storage unit in the market complex, which was proposed for the benefit of the local fishermen, including ramponkars, magkars, besides the boat owners with a provision to store their surplus fish?
The Goan understands that the Central government had released a whopping Rs 23 crore for the redevelopment of the wholesale fish market, mostly to fund the main component “ the cold storage unit facility. Sadly, while the market is ready in all respects, the cold storage unit is yet to fall in place till date on the plea the SGPDA could not scout alternate land to play host to a makeshift market in order to build the cold storage unit block.
Now, with the wholesale market ready, sources said the government as well as the SGPDA faces an acid test on the question of executing the main component of the market “ the cold storage unit block.
Information revealed that the cold storage unit was proposed in Block A of the project, consisting of the main entry gate for vehicles, a FDA testing laboratory, and ice flaking machine. The offices of SGPDA and the Fisheries Department are proposed on the first floor of Block A building, which is yet to become a reality till date.
