Workers try to unclog chambers; vendors say market deteriorating for lack of maintenance
The state of the SGPDA retail fish market, with the overflowing chambers raising a stink in the mega market.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
The SGPDA retail fish market is back in the news after fish vendors raised uproar after overflowing chambers raised a stink in the market complex, which was re-developed just five years ago on the lines of Dubai fish market.
After the fish vendors, led by president of Margao Retail Fish Market Vendors Association Felix Gonsalves and other fish vendors raised an uproar in the market over the stinking environment, two workers were seen trying to unclog the chambers.
The fish vendors have pointed out that the condition of the SGPDA retail fish market is deteriorating with each passing day for lack of upkeep and maintenance.
In fact, the maintenance of the retail fish market has been the bone of contention between the fish vendors and the SGPDA over the question of payment of sopo fees by the vendors. In fact, while the SGPDA had tried to hike the sopo fees payable by the fish vendors to meet the growing market maintenance costs, the fish vendors had resisted the move, insisting that the PDA first outline the amenities which will be provided in the market after the hike in the sopo fees.
The deadlock over the hike in sopo fees and the maintenance of the market has had a telling effect on the PDA fish market, which was renovated by the government on the lines of the Dubai fish market.
A visit to the retail fish market on Tuesday revealed the worsening condition with black colour leachate overflowing from the market chambers, creating a stinking environment. The market wore a dirty look even as fish lovers had to negotiate the broken floor tiles.
“How can the SGPDA allow the retail fish market to rot like this when the complex is a major market not just for Madgavkars, but for Saxttikars in general,” wondered leader of fish vendors, Felix Gonsalves. Saying the fish vendors have never said no to a hike in the sopo fees, Felix, however, claimed the PDA has till date failed to give in writing the amenities that would be provided in the market after implementing the new sopo fees.
At a recent meeting held earlier this month, the SGPDA has resolved to implement the Margao Municipal sopo rates for the vegetable and fruit vendors in the PDA retail market. As far as the fish vendors are concerned, the PDA has not taken any decision in respect of a hike in sopo fees, saying the PDA will involve the fish vendors upon completion of the repairs and renovation of the market.
