The area is abuzz before 5 in the morning, and lasts till the end of the day or till their catch for the day is over and sold. Panjim’s vendors selling fish, beef and chicken have been the providers of fish and meat for the capital city and neighboring areas but have been waiting for better infrastructure to sell their products.
Three years ago, along with the development of the first and second phase of the main market complex, the over 200 vendors selling fish, beef and a couple of shops were promised a spot in the third phase of development, one that the vendors still wait for to this day.
Juliet Rebello who’s been selling fish for 30 years in Panjim said she has no problem sitting under the scaffolding in front of the complex that houses where they currently sit but adds that it would be so much better if it were cleaner and if the existing infrastructure was put to better use.
“At least with the scaffolding put, we have some sort of relief from the hot sun or the pouring rain. But the place tends to stink due to the water from the fish and some of the produce going bad through the course of the day. This is usually the case towards the end of the day,” said Rebello.
She said that the only time they raised their voices was when they heard news that the market was to be moved to Altinho.
Another fisher woman adds that they would love to move to an air conditioned place with better facilities. “The small drains tend to clog very often with all the waste so it would be better to upgrade,” she said.
But when will this phase three of the market begin? Current mayor Shubham Chodankar is unaware and so is his Municipal Engineer John Abreu as they send our reporter from one department to another for answers.
Ex-Mayor, Surendra Furtado who had in the past dealt with the issue said the plans are all drawn up but the lack of funding and probable issues with the first and second phase may be the reason for the lack of progress.
“The third phase of development of the market was intended to be for fish, beef, chicken sellers as well as the few tea stalls that are currently in the area. The plans were drawn up after a resolution passed by the CCP and GSIDC were authorized to construct the building,” said Furtado.
He goes on to say that unless irregularities with the first and second phase aren’t resolved, he doesn’t see the third one being anywhere near on the horizon.
“There are over Rs. 13 crore in rent that the municipality can collect but haven’t and until this issue is resolved, I don’t think the third phase will go ahead,” he said.
Rebello agrees saying, “there are many illegal shopkeepers in the market complex too. A lot of space is wasted because of it.”
