AT OPENING CEREMONY >>
CM'S MESSAGE
Remaining part of the SGPDA market will also be taken up for renovation
NOT PRESENT
Congress MLAs from Salcete
CHURCHILL'S PLEA
Ensure that Goemkars do not become extinct in the wholesale fish market
If we maintain it (fish market) properly, it will be the best retail market in entire India
- Vijai Sardesai
MARGAO: Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai on Monday said that Fatorda will enjoy the most favoured status as long as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is in the saddle, as he inaugurated the SGDPA retail fish market refurbished at a cost of Rs two crore on the lines of the Dubai fish market.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, whose message was played at the programme, promised to usher in development in the commercial capital, with an assurance that the remaining part of the SGPDA market would also be taken up for renovation.
After inaugurating the refurbished fish market in the presence of Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, SGPDA Chairperson Dr Renuka Da Silva, MMC Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai, Councilors, PDA members and citizens, the TCP Minister announced that other sheds, especially the meat and vegetable stalls will be taken up for renovation. “There will be no compromise on the maintenance and hygiene in the market. The PDA may not even hike the maintenance fee from existing Rs 10 to Rs 75, but we also request the fish vendors to clear the arrears of the stalls within a time frame,” he said.
He said that the renovated fish market is not only an improved facility for the fish vendors, but also for Saxttikars in general who throng the market for their daily fish requirement. “Though the fish market has been renovated on the lines of the Dubai fish market, the market has been given a Goemkar look. If we maintain it properly, it will be the best retail market in entire India,” he said.
Vijai took pot shots at the Congress MLAs from Salcete for their absence at the inauguration, demanding to know whether the Congress bigwigs have stayed away from the inauguration because he has initiated the project dear to the heart of Saxtikkars.
In his brief address, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao complimented the TCP Minister for getting the Dubai market model to Goa, but made a humble plea to Sardesai to ensure that Goemkars do not become extinct in the wholesale fish market. “Give Goans the space in the wholesale fish market. Find out how many Goans are in the wholesale fish business. No single person should be allowed to enjoy monopoly in the wholesale fish market and control the fish business,” Churchill said.
In a recorded message, President of the fish Vendors Association, Felix Gonsalves said the fish vendors will provide better service to the customers, while inviting the people to and come a see the turn around in the market.
In her address SGPDA Chairperson Dr Renuka Da Silva said there will be teething problems in the refurbished, but hastened to add that the PDA will overcome all issues to the satisfaction of both the vendors and the citizens as she thanked the TCP Minister and the Chief Minister for the decision to refurbish the PDA market.
PDA Consultant Ankit Prabhudesai said renovation of the fish market was the need of the hours to facilitate proper passage for people to walk and ensure that proper hygiene is maintained in the market.
Some of the important elements of design incorporated in the market includes the stainless steel fish stands, a rear counter with polished granite with ceramic edge cut tiles. Each of the 144 vendors is being provided with an insulated fish storage box to avoid the use of thermocol and cane baskets.
“The Goan look has been achieved with the use of screen printed azulezo tiles on the front façade and the internal walls. The ceiling was finished with heritage tile pattern illustration, which gives the market the much-needed Goan look,” Ankit said, adding that all the lights in the market have made way for LED lights for proper illumination and maintenance.
