Team Herald
PONDA: The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has decided to shift the fish market to a new location as a precautionary measure after portions of the old market roofing began to collapse. The decades-old structure has been deemed unsafe, prompting the authorities to take immediate action to ensure safety of vendors and customers.
The affected fish vendors have urged the PMC to take them into confidence and provide adequate facilities before the relocation. This demand comes in response to the Council’s decision to demolish the existing fish market building here due to its deteriorating condition and construct a new one in its place.
The PMC has decided to shift the fish vendors to the basement parking area of the market complex as a temporary arrangement. However, concerned vendors gathered at the Council office, expressing their fears and demanding assurances regarding basic necessities such as water and electricity connections at the new location.
The Fish Vendors’ Association acknowledged that the current market structure is on the verge of collapse but insisted that their concerns be addressed before the move. A group of vendors met with PMC Chairperson Anand Naik to voice their grievances, stating they were willing to relocate provided that proper facilities and additional space were allocated to them for conducting business. At present, there are approximately 113 fish vendors operating in the market.
PMC Chairperson Anand Naik confirmed that the existing market, built in 1982, is now in a dangerous state and requires urgent reconstruction. He assured vendors that the council would hold a meeting with them and PMC officials on 4 April at the PMC hall to discuss their concerns and find a viable solution.
“The condition of the market is hazardous, and the council has taken the decision to construct a new fish market. Therefore, vendors will need to be relocated. Similarly, those operating on the first floor of the building will also have to be moved due to safety concerns,” Naik stated.
With the impending demolition, the vendors now await the scheduled meeting, hoping for a resolution that ensures their livelihood is not disrupted.