Local resident flags rotten fish cargo at Margao Railway Station

Team Herald

MARGAO: At a time when pandemic is raging in the country, fish packed in thermocol boxes being transported to Goa via Railways at Margao in huge quantities without proper quality check was detected by an alert local on Tuesday, raising serious questions about status of public health in the State. 

On Tuesday, based on the complaint from locals, the railway authorities checked the thermocol boxes that arrived at the station which had rotten fish in them. However, the railway officials informed that they lacked the mechanism to check the quality of fish, which is a perishable commodity. 

Milagres Fernandes, a resident of Margao found the fish packed in thermocol boxes lying at the Konkan Railway Station, here, near the parcel counter. 

He brought the issue to the notice of the media and questioned the railway officials. It was further revealed that this was a routine business. 

“I was at Margao Railway Station to book the tickets, and suddenly there was a stink at the parcel counter. Fish was found packed in the thermocol boxes,” said Fernandes. 

Herald noticed nearly 10 stinking thermocol boxes lying scattered. It was further found that these boxes reach Goa through the railways from Gujarat, Kerala and Mumbai. 

“It is horrible to witness the unhygienic conditions of the fish which is transported to Goa from other States. We have also received information that this fish is later sold in open markets at different places. Shockingly no proper check is done with regard to its quality,” said Fernandes. 

According to him, it was disheartening to note that despite fish being a perishable item, persons involved in the business are least bothered about the quality of their product. 

“We have no problem regarding transportation of fish through railways. But we are concerned with the quality of the fish, as it is consumed by the people of Goa, especially when Formalin controversy is still raging,” he added.

Reacting to the issue Baban Ghatge, Senior Public Relation Officer, Konkan Railway said there is no outgoing fish from Goa but fish being transported to Goa through railways, mostly from Gujarat, Kerala and Mumbai. 

“Fish comes under perishable items and there are certain formalities which are to be followed at the booking station. Booking is accepted only when the norms are followed. Railways act as a transporter, but we don’t have testing facilities at Margao Railway Station,” Ghatge informed. 

He further added that the Railway officials randomly check the boxes and the person is penalised if the perishable items are found not fit for consumption.