MARGAO
Hazard a guess why the area near the fish cutting shed at the SGPDA retail fish market emits a foul odour, or the stray cattle and dogs feasting on the waste collected by the Planning body in the fish market?
Well, if the reply filed by the SGPDA to the notice issued by the Margao Urban Health Centre to abate the nuisance in the retail market is any indication, the PDA has placed the blame for the foul odour and the stray cattle in the market complex on the Margao Municipal Council (MMC).
SGDPA Member Secretary Shaikh Ali Ahmed has pointed out in his reply to the Margao Health Officer that the chambers/drainages of the retail fish market are being cleaned regularly, ruling out the possibility of the issue of choked drains.
On the fish waste generated from fish-cutting stalls, the PDA maintained that the waste is being kept in the bins to be lifted by the MMC regularly. Ali was categorical in saying that if the MMC doesn't clear the fish waste daily, a foul smell gets emitted.
On the question of maintaining the cleanliness of the market, Ali said the SGPDA has engaged labourers for cleaning and clearing of waste (wet and dry) generated in the retail fish market regularly and the same is kept at the garbage disposable area to be lifted by MMC daily.
“At times, the MMC doesn't collect the garbage daily (the reason best known to MMC) and that's how stray cattle and dogs are attracted towards the dumped garbage,” he added.
The PDA further replied that 10 garbage bins have been provided in the retail fish market and the plastic waste such as bags, tea cups and wet waste are being segregated properly by SGPDA labourers and are being dumped in the bins regularly.
He further pointed out that coconut shells and other waste scattered around the retail fish market are being cleared regularly and strict instructions have been issued to the vendors to dispose of the coconut and tender coconut shells and other waste generated by them during their business activities.
“The entire waste generated in the retail fish market is being segregated regularly by the SGPDA labourers, the segregated waste is kept in the respective bins, provided in the market and disposed of at the required place from where the MMC has to clear regularly,” he said, adding that the SGPDA is making the best efforts to keep the market neat, clean and in the hygienic condition.
