MARGAO: In an interesting turn of events, wholesale fish selling activities have relocated to roadside areas in the market vicinity following strict action and restrictions imposed by the authorities. Several wholesale fish traders, along with migrant vendors, can now be regularly observed conducting fish sales outside the established market premises. This shift occurred in the wake of joint action undertaken by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and Margao Municipal Council (MMC) over the past few days, following orders from the High Court.
Currently, multiple fish-carrying vehicles can be spotted on the road leading towards Seraulim, and even on the under-construction Western Bypass stretch. There is no civic or police authority presence at these sites to take action against these illegal roadside fish selling activities.
It is important to note that the SGPDA and MMC, citing High Court orders, took stringent measures and prohibited all fish selling activities at the Wholesale Fish Market after 10 am. The authorities did not spare local fishermen or the Ramponkars, from conducting their business and did not provide any viable alternatives.
Peter Fernandes, a local fisherman, expressed his discontent with the situation, suggesting that the authorities seem to target locals unfairly. He questioned why no action is being taken against fish traders who conduct their business by parking their vehicles on the roadside, and why wholesale fish traders are allowed to park their vehicles, even on the under-construction Western Bypass Road.
According to Royson Dias, a resident of Seraulim, imposing more restrictions on fish selling activities will lead to the illegal sale of fish at new and inconvenient locations. “It is the responsibility of the concerned authorities to devise proper plans to prevent any nuisance outside the wholesale fish market,” said Dias, stressing that the authorities cannot evade their responsibilities by claiming that roadside activities are beyond their jurisdiction.
