PERNEM: The dilapidated Pernem fish market structure is posing a risk to the lives of not only the vendors but also the number of people who visit the area on a daily basis.
For years, there have been pleas to reconstruct the fish market but they have only fallen on deaf ears. The fish vendors have been crying for immediate action to be carried out but the Pernem Municipality has not attended to their woes.
Besides the fish vendors, others including vegetable, fruit and flower vendors are also operating under the same roof.
The condition of the market structure is so bad that during the heavy rains, the area is quickly inundated with water as the roof starts leaking. Even the walls have developed cracks.
However, the vendors are most worried about the recent developments wherein the wooden beams supporting the wooden roof have developed cracks and they fear it may collapse soon.
The vendors have now placed wooden sticks as a stopgap measure to prevent it from falling down but fear that it won’t last for long.
Questioning the inordinate delay by PMC, they have criticised the civic body for ignoring their grievances and putting their lives in danger.
They point out that PMC collects sopo fees from the vendors on a regular basis but have turned a blind eye on this issue. They have also alleged that the authorities are waiting for a casualty to occur and only then they will take action.
