MARGAO
Will the first meeting of the newly-constituted South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) headed by MLA Daji Salkar scheduled on Thursday take cognizance of the conditions in the PDA retail market located just below the PDA office?
Indeed, renovated on the lines of the Dubai market less than half a decade ago, the SGPDA retail fish market is craving for attention. The interlocking pavers have caved in at an entrance to the market. Floor tiles inside the market too seemed to be lying in a damaged state. The fish stalls and the platforms, where fish is being sold by the vendors, also craves attention. The iron gates installed during the market renovation are rusting for want of a fresh coat of paint.
When The Goan brought the condition of the market to the notice of the newly-appointed SGPDA Member Secretary Vinod Kumar, he said the PDA officials are seized of the issue. In fact, Vinod Kumar pointed out that the PDA engineers have compiled a report on the state of the retail fish market and other issues plaguing the PDA markets.
“Since the SGPDA headed by newly-appointed PDA Chairman, Daji Salkar is having its first meeting of the Authority on Thursday, we will place the report before the Authority to take action on the matter,” Vinod Kumar said.
President of the SGPDA Fish Vendors Association, Felix Gonsalves said the retail fish market has been craving for attention for months now, but in vain. The pavers are giving way, while the floor tiles are lying in damaged state at some places,” he said.
He pointed out that the platforms installed in the market to sell fish have not been maintained. “We had in the past drawn attention of the PDA chairman and officials to inspect the market and take remediation measures, but in vain,” Felix said.
He has hoped that the new Authority headed by Chairman, MLA Salkar will devote attention and fix all the issues plaguing the retail fish market.
