A delay in the completion of the ambitious Rs 4 crore market complex has put the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) in a spot of bother, amid efforts to regularize the unorganized fish and vegetable/fruit vendors in the area.
The single-storeyed market complex, constructed by Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA), for the Canacona Municipal Council is way behind schedule and council sources had informed Herald that the complex should have been completed many months ago.
While sources in the civic body claim that the market complex is unlikely to be a reality before March 2015, CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello is, however, confident that the much-anticipated market complex will be completed by mid-November.
With a built up area of 670 sq mts, the market complex will have a fish market and eight other shops on the ground floor, while the first floor will have vegetable/fruit vendors and 10 other shops.
A visit to the site revealed a number of incomplete works at the market complex and sources in the CMC have admitted that a lot of major works remain to be completed.
The need to have a market complex has been acutely felt by the CMC to streamline the unorganized fish and vegetable/fruit vendors in the area.
The present fish market is in a bad state and is only rarely used by fish vendors for a few hours in the morning. For the rest of the day, most fish vendors squat outside and almost block the entrance to the present market complex.
Adding to the traffic chaos, vegetable and fruit vendors have also set up their kiosks right on the roadside in complete view of the CMC administration offices.
Residents and motorists have often complained that civic officials have remained silent spectators to the utter chaos that prevail in the busy and prime locality of Canacona town.
When contacted, CMC Chairperson Rebello assured that much of these issues would be answered when the GSUDA constructed market complex finally becomes a reality.
“Most of the vendors, who cause a nuisance by occupying public spaces, will be accommodated in the new market complex,” said Rebello.
“On seeing the inordinate delay in completion of the market complex, I recently approached GSUDA authorities and they have assured to handover the market complex by November 11. I feel the market should begin functioning before the end of this year,” Rebello informed Herald.
Interestingly, the construction site does not display any details of the ongoing construction or date of completion of the project. Even the foundation stone laid by then urban development minister during the commencement of works has been missing from the stand.
