The redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market, slated for inauguration on September 20, is facing renewed demands from activists and fishermen for a “Goan-first” approach, as critical amenities remain incomplete following the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (GSIDC) exit from the project. With the GSIDC contract closed, promised facilities such as cold storage and the FDA fish testing laboratory are in limbo. Activist Milagres Fernandes criticised a proposal by South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) chairman and Vasco MLA Krishna Daji Salkar to divide the market between Goans and outsiders.
“The facility was created to serve Goans, not outsiders. Half the market is already complete; the entire complex must remain reserved for locals,” he said.
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Fishermen on the ground echoed concerns over high fees, including a proposed Rs 300 per hour parking charge, which could strain traditional operators. They called for Goan-only sopo collection, adequate space for women vendors, and cold storage within the complex to preserve unsold catch. Senior Fisheries Department officials confirmed the GSIDC exit left the cold storage — initially funded under a Central Government scheme for ramponkars, magkars, and small boat owners — outside the project’s scope. “The ball is now in the PDA’s court,” an official said, noting that the land belongs to the planning authority, and no fresh tender can proceed without its cooperation. Other promised facilities, including an FDA inspection lab, ice flaking machine, and allied infrastructure, remain unimplemented.
The lab, intended to institutionalise formalin testing, is still operating under a 2019 agreement with the Quality Council of India, which fishermen argue is insufficient without a permanent presence at Margao. Despite assurances from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, the lack of completed infrastructure has left fishermen and activists questioning whether the redevelopment will truly serve local communities.
They warn that without urgent intervention, the market risks repeating the failings of its predecessor — imposing new fees and restrictions while failing to deliver promised improvements. Activists and fishing community representatives are calling for a comprehensive rethink to ensure affordable access, safeguard livelihoods, and prioritise Goan operators, stressing that the state’s largest wholesale fish hub cannot be handed over to outsiders at the expense of locals.
