VASCO
The port town is home to a network of dedicated markets that serve the daily needs of its residents. With separate spaces for vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat, the markets ensure that Vascokars have access to fresh produce and essential goods.
However, these bustling markets also face challenges ranging from congestion to hygiene concerns, prompting ongoing interventions by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC).
Vegetable market:
Hub of activity
At the core of Vasco’s commercial life lies the vegetable market, a hotspot for both customers and complaints. Located right in the city centre, the market sees a heavy footfall throughout the day.
However, the influx of visitors, combined with the encroachment of vendors extending beyond their designated stalls, has led to significant congestion.
The MMC has responded with several enforcement drives, targeting vendors who place products outside their stalls. In more drastic measures, the council has even confiscated goods, redistributing them to local orphanages and old-aged homes.
Yet, despite these efforts, the market continues to thrive, with plans underway to further decongest the area by implementing stricter rules and regulations.
Fruit market:
Trading on pavement
In a rather unconventional setup, Vasco’s fruit market operates on a footpath adjacent to the vegetable market, along the city’s busiest FL Gomes Road.
Vendors, lined up in a straight row, sell an array of fruits, from seasonal to in-demand varieties. While the market offers a convenient shopping experience, it has also been blamed for causing traffic disruptions, as customers often park their vehicles haphazardly to make purchases.
The MMC has attempted to streamline operations by pushing vendors back onto the pavement and providing warnings against encroaching on the road.
Improved lighting has been introduced, and there are plans to give the market a facelift with uniform stalls, creating a more aesthetic space, like that of the capital city of Panaji. For now though, the fruit market remains an integral part of daily life in Vasco, despite the occasional traffic snarl.
Fish market:
Long-awaited transformation
The Vasco fish market has been the subject of debate for decades, with efforts to modernise the space finally gaining momentum under the leadership of Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar.
After persuading vendors to vacate the old market, work on a new state-of-the-art fish market complex is underway.
In the meantime, the fish market operates from a temporary shed in the heart of the city, with approximately 200 vendors accommodated in the space.
While the temporary arrangement includes seating platforms, drainage systems, and even a toilet facility, vendors have expressed dissatisfaction with the market’s upkeep.
Complaints of clogged drains, uncollected waste, and slippery floors are common, with some customers reportedly having fallen while purchasing fish.
"The place has become very stinky, and MMC doesn’t clean it properly. There’s also the danger posed by untrimmed trees," said one vendor.
Despite these grievances, the construction of the new fish market complex is nearly 80% complete, according to MMC sources.
Plans for a biodigester and solar roofing are set to make the new facility Vasco’s first green building, heralding a new era for the city’s fish vendors.
Chicken, mutton
market: Hygiene concern
Tucked behind the vegetable market near Kharewado Bay, Vasco’s chicken and mutton market has been a controversial space for years.
Concerns raised by NGOs and FDA authorities have revolved around the lack of proper hygiene, with many pointing to inadequate drainage and water supply as major issues.
Meat waste is often discarded in the open, raising fears of rodent infestations and potential health hazards.
Vegetarian customers, in particular, have expressed discomfort with the market’s proximity to the vegetable stalls, citing the foul smell of meat waste as a deterrent.
FDA raids have taken place in the past, but the market continues to operate in its current form.
However, recent announcements from the MMC indicate that plans are in motion to develop a dedicated space for meat vendors, addressing the pressing need for better hygiene and operational efficiency.
Progress amid
challenges
Vasco’s markets are a testament to the city’s bustling trade and vibrant community life. However, as the city grows, so do the challenges of managing these public spaces. With continued efforts from the MMC and local authorities, there is hope that these markets will not only serve the people’s needs but also set a benchmark for cleanliness, organisation, and sustainability.
As the markets evolve, they remain an essential part of Vasco’s identity, contributing to the city's unique blend of tradition and progress.
