PANJIM: Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has taken up the renovation works of the fish market which includes the replacement of the flooring and the fish cutting area.
CCP Mayor Uday Madkaikar has rubbished the allegations that the works are a wasteful expenditure as alleged by few. After the CCP commenced the works there were allegations that it was waste to replace the existing floor tiles and instead the CCP should undertake the works of third phase of the market which includes the fish market.
Defending municipality’s decision to renovate the fish market, Uday said, “The third phase of the market is yet to come up and even we want the project to be completed soon. However, we cannot risk the life and health of the citizens by letting the business be carried out in filth.”
Stating that the flooring will be replaced with anti-skid tiles, he said, “The flooring in the fish market has become slippery and during monsoons it is the most dangerous. We wanted to take it up earlier in the year, but were held up due to Model Code of Conduct.”
He informed that the Panjim MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate has extended support by assuring to provide additional funds through CSR from the corporate companies. The works being carried out are estimated at around Rs 15 lakh.
Uday said, “The other part of the project which is equally important is the fish cutting area. It is in a mess with no proper drainage system, no place for the people to stand and filthy. It’s a sorry state that people have to buy fish and get it cut in such filthy place. Therefore we had to take up the renovation works immediately.”
He stated the fish cutting area was in dilapidated condition with the roof chipping off and needed immediate repairs. “We want to provide state of the art facilities for our citizens and for that we need not wait for years until the new market is constructed. We hope the works of the third phase of the market will be taken up soon, even then it will need 2-3 years to complete.”
