MAPUSA
The FDA had earlier recommended that the Mapusa Municipal Council develop the Alankar Theatre vicinity into a dedicated street food zone with basic infrastructure such as proper waste management facilities, access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation.
The proposal was discussed on several occasions over the years, but little progress has been made on the ground.
Sources said the recommendation failed to gain the necessary support from local decision-makers, resulting in the project remaining confined to discussions.
The lack of follow-through has drawn criticism, particularly at a time when food safety and public health concerns continue to surface in the area.
Critics point out that the issue is symptomatic of a broader problem in Mapusa, where several civic and health-related concerns remain unresolved despite repeated complaints and representations to the authorities.
Similar concerns have been raised regarding conditions at the Mapusa fish market, where traders and citizens have repeatedly flagged issues relating to hygiene, sanitation and infrastructure.
However, residents say meaningful action has remained elusive, raising questions about the civic body's and local leadership’s commitment to addressing public health priorities.
