marcos gonsalves
marcos@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Unchecked and unhygienic transportation of fish from the neighbouring States continue to plague the Margao Railway Station, as smelly thermocol boxes laden with seafood are piled for pick-up on the platform sans any known checks for formalin.
Herald, which reported about this negligence in its July 17 issue, observed that norms for safe transportation and sale of fish continue to be flouted with impunity upon a visit to the Margao Railway Station on Monday.
The South Goa Collector’s office suggested that the department of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) address the situation seriously.
A few fish parcels were noticed on the floor outside the parcel counter at the Margao Railway Station.
The water from the boxes was seeping onto the floor, resulting in the whole area smelling unpleasant. Herald’s ground report revealed that large numbers of such parcels make their way from Kerala and other States to Margao via rail, without confirmed details of them having undergone quality and safety checks.
“Every day at around 6 am, and in the evenings too, a large number of thermocol boxes containing fish arrive at the station,” Shamim Shaikh, a taxi driver, said. He added that the resultant stink makes it very difficult for taxi drivers to even stand at the parcel counter.
Additional Collector Paresh Phaldesai told Herald that this matter is generally under the purview of the FDA and should not be tolerated at any cost.
“The FDA should check the fish entering Goa by Railways for formalin. It should have mechanisms in place so that the lives of thousands of fish eaters are not risked,” he said.
Repeated attempts to communicate telephonically with FDA director Jyoti Sardesai on Monday proved futile.
