the goan I network
MARGAO
The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) on Monday was caught on the wrong foot after unhygienic and illegal activities were unearthed in the wholesale fish market during an inspection by an official of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) upon directions of the court.
Thermocol waste littered in water, thousands of fish boxes and drains choked with leachate welcomed a lady official of the GSPCB on Monday evening during an inspection of the markets in the city.
Directions were issued to the SGPDA to get the thermocol waste cleared from the market within a day or two. Similarly, instructions were issued to clear the market of thousands of illegal fish boxes stacked in the wholesale fish market in violation of rules.
While inquiries revealed that only two persons have been issued permission by the SGPDA to stack around 200 fish boxes in the wholesale fish market, more than 25-30 persons are believed to have stored thousands of plastic boxes in rampant violation of the law. When the lady official questioned the PDA staff over the unhygienic conditions in the market and illegal storage of fish boxes, they were told the planning body has entrusted the hygiene and cleanliness to the sopo contractor.
The sopo contractor, who was present with a representative of the wholesale fish market association, was directed to clear the mess immediately before action is initiated by the authorities.
Sources informed that once the fish boxes and the thermocol waste is cleared from the market, the Margao Municipal Council will move in to clear the choked drains.The GSPCB official also visited the PDA mega retail market and saw for herself the mess in the vegetable and fruit market. Instructions were issued to the PDA to get the agency clear up the mess on top-most priority.
The team also visited the Gandhi market as part of the inspection, with sources saying it will submit the report to the court.
