Team Herald
MARGAO: There was a major breakthrough in the hunt for an alternate site for shifting South Goa’s wholesale fish market on a temporary basis until the construction of the new market complex is completed.
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While the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) inspected four other sites last week, a joint inspection held on Monday, reviewed the unused hockey ground near the Fatorda Indoor Stadium.
Given that the size of this ground is 12,000 square metres – which is sufficient to host the facilities for the temporary wholesale fish market and also provide space for parking – and the size of the existing fish market in Mungul, Fatorda is 10,000 square metres, this site is being pushed as the most acceptable of the lot.
SGPDA Chairman Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar along with SGPDA officials, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Margao municipal councillors and officials of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) were present for the inspection. They also discussed obtaining clearances from the District Collector and also using chemicals to remove any foul odour that may emanate from the temporary market.
Sardesai explained that this ground was originally an abandoned field and that during the Covid pandemic, inert waste from Sonsodo was used to build the hockey ground. He further added that Hockey Goa Association would most likely give the NOC for the ground as the site is being used temporarily for a period of one year and not permanently.
Kamat emphasised that the site was ideal as the location would minimise inconvenience to the public. He also urged both SGPDA and GSIDC to come out with a holistic plan that would ensure that there is no traffic congestion in and around the market.
Responding to queries from the two MLAs and the Chairman, Paul Gomes, an SGPDA senior official, explained that as per their records, trawler owners from Cutbona have 137 vehicles, fishermen from Vasco have 57 vehicles and wholesale traders have over 150 vehicles.
He also clarified that all these vehicles do not enter the market at once and that there are sopo fees in place for the hours they spend at the market.
Paul added that traditional ramponkars also want space at the temporary and new market.
On a concluding note, the chairman said they will study the data to streamline operations and movement of vehicles at the alternative site including those who park near the market at 2 am.
He added that GSIDA will make a plan but that arrangements at the alternative site, whichever is finalised can be completed within a months’ time. Salkar also gave an assurance that all the stakeholders concerned will be taken into confidence.
