TEAM HERALD
VASCO: Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida on Thursday said the work order for the new Rs 2 crore Chicalim Cottage Hospital has been issued, adding that work on the new fish market would go ahead despite opposition from fish vendors.
Addressing a news conference at Vasco, Almeida said the 120-bed hospital with all the equipment will be ready within 18 months.
While commenting on the new fish market, Almeida warned that he would not tolerate any opposition from the fish vendors.
“If needed, I will use police force to construct the fish market if the fish vendors object to the construction. They should realize that the market also belongs to the general public,” he said.
Almeida added that he would seek police protection during soil testing work, to avoid any confrontation between the fish vendors and soil testing officials.
Almeida said he wants to construct the fish market so that he can shift all the handcarts on the first floor and accommodate the fish vendors in a hygienic place.
“I want to make Vasco handcart free by shifting the handcarts,” said Almeida.
“If the councillors, public and fish vendors do not support the project, then I will petition the court. There is a big racket and a nexus between fish vendors.”
“The fish vendors want to keep the market in the same condition and despite several requests to the fish vendors to allow the construction of a new and hygienic fish market, all the requests have fallen on deaf ears,” added Almeida.
Responding to reports of acute staff shortage at Vasco police station, Almeida said, “Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has assured to provide more police staff once the police personnel complete their training at Police Training School in Valpoi.”
