Strong opposition is brewing among traders and stakeholders of the Mapusa municipal market over a government proposal to include a commercial mall in the redevelopment of the Kadamba bus stand.
Members of the market community have expressed serious concern over the plan, warning that the inclusion of a large shopping mall or commercial complex could threaten the survival of traditional businesses in the area.
They have vowed to oppose the proposal “tooth and nail” if it goes ahead in its current form.
While welcoming the long-pending modernisation of the bus terminal, traders said the project must not come at the cost of local livelihoods.
“We support the redevelopment of the bus stand, but the inclusion of a mega-mall is a direct threat to the existence of the traditional Mapusa market,” said Jeetendra Falari, President of the Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA).
Echoing similar concerns, MMA member Pandurang Sawant criticised the move, stating that small retailers are already struggling due to competition from online platforms, quick delivery services and large corporate retail chains.
“It is unfair for the government, which speaks of uplifting the last person, to promote corporate business houses at the cost of small local traders. This is being done using taxpayers’ money, including from those whose livelihoods are now at risk,” he said.
The traders highlighted that the Mapusa market supports over 2,500 families and serves as a vital economic and cultural hub in North Goa.
They warned that the entry of large-scale retail outlets would create an uneven playing field, potentially displacing micro-entrepreneurs and traditional vendors.
They also pointed to the poor condition of the existing municipal market, citing issues such as damaged drainage systems, exposed electrical wiring, non-functional sanitation facilities and deteriorating infrastructure.
“It is disheartening that substantial funds are being considered for a new commercial project while the existing market remains in a neglected state,” a trader said.
The market community has put forward several demands, including scaling down or removing the mall component from the redevelopment plan, allocating immediate funds for upgrading the municipal market and providing support measures for small traders to compete in a changing retail landscape.
Traders further stressed that the bus stand should remain a commuter-focused transport hub with essential public amenities, rather than being converted into a commercial retail centre that could worsen traffic congestion.
Calling the Mapusa market the “cultural and heritage soul” of North Goa, the traders have urged authorities to prioritise its protection and revitalisation.
