Team Herald
MARGAO: Traders have alleged that the Margao’s New Market owned by local civic body, stands neglected. They claim that the New Market is in a pathetic condition as the municipality has failed to resolve the long pending issues with regards to the shed, parking, encroachments and improper management of gutters.
A visit to the market revealed that there is hardly any space left to move in and out inside the market, as result of encroachment by some vendors. Shockingly, this market which was once known as a major commercial hub is slowly going into the hands of the migrants.
The monsoon season is the time where one can find all the mess inside the market due to improper maintenance of the roof and no management of the gutters. Interestingly, the demand with regards to access to the fire tenders, in case of fire incident is still unresolved.
“Our demand pertaining to the shed is still pending with the Margao Municipality. We have been told that the civic body has no funds to repair the shed. This demand of vendors is just not being taken seriously, despite several requests”, said Vinod Shirodkar, President of New Market Traders Association.
He said that the gutter slabs are broken and the MMC is not serious and has not shown any concern to repair them.
“This monsoon will be a tough time for many vendors engaged in the business activities here, due to the pathetic condition of the market”, he complained.
He also brought to the notice of the Herald the encroachment by vendors inside the market, besides roadside which is causing hardship to the people visiting the market.
“The market inspectors deployed to keep vigil on the market sit in the office of the municipality, instead of supervising. Yes, there is encroachment but the market inspectors are supposed to crack a whip on them. No check from the market inspectors has added to mess in the market”, said Shirodkar.
He said the demand to act against the illegalities is not new and they have been urging for the same since for the last several years.
“We will be meeting the new Chief Officer Rohit Kadam in the next week to deliberate on the issues pertaining to the market”, he informed.
Agreeing with the same, Gopal Naik, a trader said there is no seriousness on the part of the civic body with regard to the New Market. “No change can be seen in the market for the last several years”, he stated.
Reacting to the same Lyndon Pereira, Chairperson MMC said that the civic body will crack whip on the encroachment in the New Market very soon. “The vendors are themselves involved in illegal encroachments. The civic body will act against the same. Monsoon is the hard time for traders here to carry out the businesses due to leakages”, he said.
He assured to resolve all the issues pertaining to the New Market at the earliest.
It may be recalled that the major fire incident in 2014 in the market had exposed chinks in the fire fighting preparedness as well the apathy of the MMC.
