The eviction of a few fish vendors is the bone of contention in Salcette. We have not heard about their numbers. The ostensible reason is not sanitation , because the whole sale fish market or for that matter the new market do not meet any such standards of cleanliness. In fact, they stink with garbage thrown around the surroundings.
Perhaps the Margao Municipal Council ( MMC ) thinks that the fish vendors are the main source of congestion in the city.
However , this is not true . If it was , what has been done about the cobblers occupying the space outside the MMC building?
The traditional fisher folks have been displaced from their age old spot, by allowing constructions violating building rules with no parking facilities. How did they get occupation certificates? Some alternative should have been in place to carry on their profession. The squatters in the narrow passage opposite Marliz cause obstruction ,yet there is no action. The same is true with the people using the area around the garden to sell their wares. All sorts of moving sales people around bus stands or on roads , are not considered a nuisance. In fact, the Municipality collects regular revenue from them , thus legalizing their trade .I am not aware of any citizens or NGO`s making a specific grievance against traditional fish sellers.
Margao would be a much better place if areas were demarcated for vendors . It is time the officials get their act together and draw up a plan to clear the beautiful city of Margao of haphazard planning.
The roads are narrowed in the city due to parking. Roads are not meant for parking, specially the main arteries , through which the traffic flows, particularly during peak hours. There are a few places available and proposed, which could be utilised to build parking lots and thus de- congest the roads The selective tirade against fish vendors in and around Margao city appears to be motivated with vengeance and does not sound just in comparison to others.
The drive should be against all traders misusing public spaces.
