The present Panaji market is spacious and bigger compared to its previous avatar, the remnants of which exist nearby. There are more vendors and service providers, but certain issues need attention by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP). Some of these have been highlighted in the media – lack of hygiene, poor lighting and ventilation, leaking roofs, and, since 2017, non-functional water pumps, fire hydrants, smoke extractors, and damaged or missing rubber hoses, to name a few drawbacks. All these could be set right provided the CCP has the will, though it has the money.
On the ground floor are grocery, fruit, flower, coconut and vegetable shops, while on the first floor are a plethora of vendors (mobiles, clothes, plastic, footwear, women’s fancy items), tailors, and repair shops (electrical, electronic, bags). These can be accessed from two broad staircases, but it is difficult for those carrying heavy bags and/or with kids, pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. The CCP needs to install escalators and lifts with operators, which would be of immense help to the citizens who have remained in mute mode all these years.
