PANAJI
Finally, the Corporation of the City of Panaji set the ball rolling and commenced demolishing the old, 1980's-built market building adjacent to the fish market on Thursday less than a day after the Commissioner, Clen Madeira issued a 24-hour eviction notice to a handful of traders still occupying spaces in the sealed edifice's periphery.
Medeira said in his notice to the fish cutters and some other traders that the demolition process will take 30 days and that they should remove their belongings and evacuate immediately. If they fail to evacuate, it will be done by the Corporation so that the demolition of the market building can begin, Madeira's notice said.
The CCP brought in earthmoving machinery and began demolishing the higher floors of the 4-storeyed structure around 10 am on Thursday. After demolition, the CCP plans to use the area to construct phase III of the market complex which will house the fish and meat markets.
Earlier, the CCP had constructed a temporary shed in an adjoining space from where the fish vendors are currently operating since October 1. The CCP had evacuated meat vendors and sealed their premises on the ground floor of the edifice but the latter had sued the civic body before the Bombay High Court at Goa over the action.
During hearings of the petition, the CCP Commissioner was chided by the Bench for evacuating the meat traders without providing them with alternatives. The CCP was directed to make alternate arrangements for them even as the petition continues to be heard by the Court.
Meanwhile, demolition of the old market building which began on Thursday has the fish trading community anxious over the fate of a cross and a small shrine located in the backyard. Although the issue has been raised with the CCP, fish traders said, they have not heard from the authorities yet about what they intend to do about the shrine.
