The wholesale fish market in Margao, which ironically happens to be within stone’s throw from the District Collectorate, is in a very pathetic and unhygienic state. The tarred surface is extensively wasted leaving portholes and puddles of stagnant water all over the place. Fish is being sold in the open in extremely unhygienic conditions. The fish vendors can be seen sorting out the fish on foul ground amidst stagnant black water all over the place. Fish waste is being dumped in the adjoining fields. To make matters worse stray dogs are seen moving all over the place and leaving behind excreta.
The Margao wholesale fish market is patronized by thousands of fish loving Goenkars, hoteliers, retail fish vendors, etc coming from distant places, each day. I am sure many of our elected representatives also consume fish purchased from this market. However the conditions at the market are extremely pathetic and hygienic. It is high time the government of the day and the district authorities pay serious heed to the poor condition of the Margao wholesale market and work towards finding a lasting solution in the greater interest of public health. Mere inspections by the powers that be will not serve any purpose.
I would suggest the following measures to improve conditions at this market –
The entire area should be leveled and cemented/ re-tarred to prevent water logging and stagnation.
Adequate drainage facilities need to be provided to allow free flow of drain water.
Construction of a boundary wall should be considered to keep stray animals away.
Fish vendors should not be allowed to sort out fish on bare ground. Adequate facilities should be provided for this purpose.
Cleaning of fish should be disallowed in this market.
Sufficient market inspectors should be posted to ensure decorum and hygiene in the market.
It would be in the fitness of things that this issue is seriously discussed in the ongoing Assembly session and urgent steps initiated to improve the conditions at the Margao wholesale fish market.
