Team Herald
MARGAO: After years of redevelopment efforts, Goa’s only wholesale fish market at Margao is finally nearing its much-anticipated commissioning. The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) is expected to secure the power connection shortly, clearing the final hurdle before the market becomes operational.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
While the government has tentatively marked January 26 for the market’s inauguration, the event’s date hinges on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s availability. All redevelopment works have been completed except for the power connection, which is slated for resolution by Friday.
However, one critical component remains conspicuously absent: the cold storage facility—a feature crucial for the market’s long-term success. Proposed to assist local fishing communities, such as ramponkars, magkars, and boat owners, this facility would provide much-needed storage for surplus fish. Despite the central government allocating Rs 23 crore for the redevelopment project, primarily to fund the cold storage unit, delays have left this component unaddressed.
Sources reveal that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has been unable to secure an alternate site for a makeshift market, a prerequisite for building the cold storage block. This logistical snag has stalled the unit’s construction, casting a shadow on the project’s comprehensive completion.
The cold storage was originally envisioned as part of Block A, which includes other essential infrastructure like an FDA testing laboratory, an ice flaking machine, and offices for the SGPDA and Fisheries Department. While these features were planned, they remain unrealized. Block A also serves as the main entry point for vehicles, underscoring its importance in the market’s operational blueprint.
With the market now ready for use, both the state government and SGPDA face mounting pressure to expedite the cold storage facility — a feature regarded as vital for ensuring the market’s functionality and sustainability.
As the inauguration draws closer, stakeholders are keenly watching whether the government can overcome these
final hurdles and deliver on its promises to the
fishing community, whose livelihoods depend heavily on efficient market
infrastructure.
