MARGAO
Is the waste problem plaguing the SGPDA retail market and the wholesale fish market road resolved with the issue coming under the High Court scanner?
A joint inspection of the PDA retail fish market and the wholesale fish market road by SGPDA Member secretary Sheikh Ali and the Margao Municipal Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar on Monday showed that the issue plaguing the markets is far from over.
In fact, when these officials descended at the PDA retail market, they were greeted by stray cattle feasting on mounds of vegetable waste on the PDA parking ground.
The situation along the wholesale fish market wasn’t anything better. In fact, SGPDA Member Secretary Sheikh Ali pointed out to the personnel engaged by the Planning body to look after the upkeep and maintenance of the markets thermocol waste lying along the wholesale fish market road.
Both the SGPDA Member Secretary and the MMC Chief Officer descended on the retail fish market and the wholesale fish market road to take stock of the ground reality since they are mandated to file a status report on the waste problem plaguing the two sites in the High Court on September 27.
As the duo took a round of the retail fish market, the team came across stray cattle feasting on the garbage and vegetable waste dumped on the PDA parking ground. Taken aback over the grim situation, the SGPDA member Secretary was seen questioning the contractor looking after the markets.
When the team made its way to the rear side of the meat stalls, they came across thermocol boxes being used in the transportation of meat. Given that thermocol boxes are being disposed of along the PDA retail market border and adjoining fields, the PDA member secretary issued instructions, insisting that the transporters take the responsibility of disposing of the thermocol waste from market.
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SGPDA Member secretary Sheikh Ali points to thermocol waste dumped outside the wholesale fish market. (pic 3)
MMC Chief officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar questions vegetable vendors alongside the wholesale fish market road. (pic 4)
Santosh Mirajkar
Wholesale fish market road: Both the MMC Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar and the SGPDA Member Secretary Sheikh Ali were greeted outside the wholesale fish market by vendors selling vegetable and fruits along the wholesale fish market road. Both Sankhwalkar and Ali demanded to know from the SGPDA contractor how come vegetables and fruits are being sold along the road outside the wholesale fish market when the area basically deals with wholesale fish.
Pointing out that all is still not well along the wholesale fish market road, the PDA Member secretary questioned the contractor how come thermocol waste can be seen at 3-4 sites along the road, indicating that the issue of thermocol waste disposal is craving for solution.
Even as the contractor assured Ali that he would direct the fish traders to stack at one point for collection and disposal, the Member secretary said the entire road should be cleaned up and photographs mailed to his office for submission before the High Court on Wednesday.
Chief Officer Sankhwalkar also demanded to know from the contractor whether the wholesale fish market road can play host to fruit and vegetable vendors, doing business right along the road side.
After the inspection, the Chief Officer said the inspection has been carried out since the High Court has issued notices to the two authorities to file reports on the status of waste problem in the PDA retail fish market and the wholesale fish market road.
