PORVORIM, JUNE 18
Fisherwomen from the Mapusa fish market staged a protest rally in the city on Friday demanding the immediate construction of a new fish market.
Later, the fisherwomen called on Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Roopa Bhakta, Chief Officer Dashrath Redkar and Municipal Engineer Vishnu Naik.
It may be recalled that MMC had declared the fish market building technically ‘unsafe’, after the condition of the old fish market had become pathetic. Later, MMC demolished the rooftop of the old fish market and fisherwomen were shifted in the temporary shelter built in the open space adjacent to the fish market by spending Rs 8 lakh.
Chairperson Bhakta had assured the fisherwomen that the new market will be built within six months. Since MMC failed to honour its commitment, the fisherwomen on Friday staged a protest rally for the second time to register their protest. Earlier, they had staged a rally on March 17.
Fish Vendors Association President Shashikala Govekar told chief officer, chairperson and chief engineer that the temporary shelter provided by the council is unhygienic.
“It becomes slippery when fish water is spilled on the ground and several fisherwomen and people have slipped and sustained fractures. During monsoon, it becomes impossible for the fisherwomen to sit in the temporary shelter, as water enters the shed,” Govekar told the authorities.
“It is more than a year now that the old fish market has been demolished, but no action has taken by the government to build it,” added Govekar.
“When we had staged a protest rally on March 17, this year, MMC had assured us that they will cover the roof of the old fish market with tarpaulin to protect from sun and rain so that we can sit there till the construction of new fish market to be undertaken by GSUDA, but MMC has done nothing,” said Govekar.
Bhakta, Redkar and Vishnu Naik then visited the fish market and had a look at the area.
Speaking to media, Chief Officer Redkar said since the tiles have become slippery, they have decided to put scratches on the tiles and put some boric powder so that public do not slip on it.
Bhakta said they have now decided to meet Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao and put forth the demands of the fisherwomen.
“We have already forwarded the file of the fish market approved by the Planning and Development Authority North Goa to the State Urban Development Agency. It is now the responsibility of GSUDA to start construction of the fish market. At the most, MMC can request GSUDA to start the construction soon,” added Bhakta.
