Team Herald
MARGAO: The absence of a cold storage facility in the renovated but yet-to-be opened wholesale fish market in Margao has raised alarm among the State’s fishing community, who rely on this critical infrastructure to preserve their catch and secure better prices during times of oversupply. Despite being a key component of the centrally-funded renovation project, the cold storage unit remains unbuilt, leaving traditional fishermen, boat owners, and wholesale traders questioning the efficacy of the new facility, which is slated to open in January 2025.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The ambitious renovation project, implemented by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Agency (GSIDC) on land owned by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA), was intended to modernise Goa’s only wholesale fish market. The Centre approved funding on the condition that the facility would include essential infrastructure like a cold storage unit and ice flaking machines. However, GSIDC officials revealed that despite repeated requests, they were unable to acquire the additional land required to construct the cold storage unit. This led to a decision to complete the project without it, leaving the government to determine the next steps. It is to be noted that this is just Phase 1 of the new SGPDA wholesale fish market with the construction of Phase 2 expected to start at a later date.
Fishermen have raised concerns that the absence of cold storage will disproportionately affect small-scale operators. Traditional fishermen, who often face market gluts during peak seasons, depend on such facilities to store their surplus catch and sell it later at better prices. Without it, they are forced to sell at steep discounts or return home with unsold fish, incurring losses. Meanwhile, larger traders equipped with insulated containers remain unaffected, deepening the disparity between the two groups.
Adding to the uncertainty, local fishing and wholesale traders have sought clarity from the authorities on how the new facility will operate. They have questioned how spaces will be allocated within the market and what measures will be taken to streamline operations, especially during peak hours when congestion and rush are common. The lack of communication and planning on these aspects has left many stakeholders apprehensive about the functionality of the new market.
Many have warned that the Centre could raise questions during audits about why a crucial element of the approved project was omitted, despite being a condition for funding. As the inauguration nears, these unresolved issues continue to cast a shadow over what was meant to be a transformative project for Goa’s fishing industry.
