VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday afternoon swung into action against illegal fishing sheds that had mushroomed along the footpaths and parking spaces at Kharewado, a hotspot for wholesale fish activity that has long drawn complaints from vendors of the newly constructed Vasco fish market.
Led by MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, teams of municipal staff, supervisors and labourers began dismantling the sheds, many of which doubled up as counters for evening fish sales.
The action came after repeated warnings to occupants went unheeded.
Borker said the drive was part of a larger crackdown on encroachments that have inconvenienced residents and undermined the new market complex.
“This is a continuous drive, and we have always stood firmly against encroachments. At Kharewado, sheds had taken over footpaths, while vehicles parked along the roadside were being used to sell fish. These vehicles not only congest roads but also inconvenience residents,” Borker told reporters at the site.
He added that while MMC was doing its part, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) had failed to act despite being repeatedly asked to clear the roadside vehicles.
The chairperson stressed that MMC could not be blamed for every civic grievance.
“We have to collect garbage, run the council, and even clear encroachments. Other departments must also carry out their responsibilities. If RTO does its job, our task becomes easier,” he remarked.
A major reason for Thursday’s action, Borker explained, was discontent among fish vendors who have resisted shifting into the new market.
Many claim that their business is hit by cheaper wholesale sales at Kharewado.
“We built a new fish market for the benefit of Vascokars, but vendors say their sales are affected because wholesale fish is being sold here illegally. They have even refused to move into the new complex. We cannot allow a handful of people to derail a project that was meant for the larger good,” Borker said.
He underlined that as per law, once a fish market is officially notified, no sales can take place within a few kilometres of it.
“For years, we couldn’t act because the old Vasco fish market was never notified. Now the new market is notified, and no one can sell fish outside it. Those who want to continue must come to the new market, where they can take Sopo or reach an understanding with existing vendors,” Borker said, adding that police had been deployed to ensure the demolition drive went smoothly.
The MMC chairperson also pointed out that some wholesale transactions were being routed through migrants, which further fuelled tensions with vendors. He cautioned that encroachments on footpaths and parking areas would not be tolerated and warned of more demolitions in the days ahead.
“The people may find fish fresher or cheaper here, but we cannot permit it as per law. If we allow this, the new market becomes meaningless. We have given enough warnings, and now action has begun. Vendors still have the chance to remove their sheds on their own, but if they don’t, MMC will clear them,” Borker asserted.
With the crackdown underway, all eyes are now on how swiftly the RTO will act on roadside vehicles and whether Kharewado’s long-standing tussle between boat owners, wholesalers and market vendors will finally move towards resolution.
