PANJIM
Panjimites had great hopes for an organised market when Phase 1 & 2 were planned and executed by the GSIDC in the early 2000's but sadly the allotment of shops went for a toss, no rents were collected due to mismanagement and maintenance seems non-existent," said Panaji resident and former councillor Patricia Pinto.
She pointed out that the market's walls still turn "paan" red, pathways meant for shoppers are taken over by most shopkeepers, which clearly shows lack of enforcement by the CCP authorities.
"The one positive thing I've noticed is proper treatment of fruit and vegetable waste by the CCP's Waste Management Cell right at the Centre of the market area with absolutely no smell emanating from within."
Pinto said confusion is confounded when a shop meant for a particular trade is sublet by the owner for a completely different trade.
"For example you confidently walk to your regular spice shop to find it replaced by a gold jewellery store. Do I need to buy gold in a grocery market? Has the CCP abandoned it's duties and let it become a 'free for all'? There are umpteen examples like this," Pinto said, adding that she has absolutely no great hope for Phase 3 and 4, if such attitude by the authorities continues and corruption coupled with mismanagement takes centre stage.
