MARGAO: Following directives issued by the High Court (HC) of Bombay at Goa, a joint inspection was carried out at Margao’s wholesale fish market, to assess its cleanliness and compliance with sanitation standards, on Monday afternoon.
The hearing held on Monday was in connection to a suo moto petition the HC had taken up, during which the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and Margao Municipal Council (MMC) had submitted their compliance reports. The Wholesale Traders Association also pledged its cooperation in maintaining the market’s cleanliness. Authorities presented evidence of their efforts to clean the areas surrounding the market, address illegal garbage dumping, and adhere to prior HC directives.
Subsequently, during the inspection, representatives from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) assessed the market’s cleanliness and reviewed measures taken to address recurrent issues.
While the market appeared cleaner than usual, the inspection team noted areas that required further attention. They confirmed the absence of discarded thermocol boxes but identified instances of plastic and waste outside the market, requiring additional cleaning.
SGPDA, MMC, and the Wholesale Trader’s Association were present during the inspection, where discussions also touched upon the construction of a new market complex, expected to alleviate some of the current issues once operational.
The wholesale trader’s representative, Shaikh Zahid, asserted that SGPDA should be responsible for market cleanliness, given the fees paid by traders. He called for action against non-Goan vendors conducting retail fish sales within the market premises, blaming them for the garbage problem.
Zahid highlighted the unfair targeting of wholesale traders, suggesting a collaborative approach to address market challenges. He mentioned an agreement to collect discarded thermocol boxes at a designated location for disposal.
MMC Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar spoke of proposals to manage thermocol boxes but called on SGPDA to act on recommendations for reducing their usage in the future. The activation of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was also discussed as a significant solution to existing problems.
Wholesale traders stressed the necessity of providing designated parking spaces for trucks to address the issue of water leaking from these vehicles.
