People residing in some villages like Cansaulim, Velsao, Cortalim and Sancoale of Mormugao taluka are lacking a basic facility for a fish market which has, till date, not been fulfilled by the state government or panchayat bodies. Due to this reason, fish vendors have been selling fish by the side of the road, posing a risk to their lives and the lives of commuters using the road.
Ironically, villagers were positive that the erstwhile BJP government would help to fulfill their dream of constructing a fish market but this has remained undone in the last four years. There has been a growing demand from the fisherfolk to provide fish markets to sell the fish without inconvenience but it looks like this will be a far-fetched dream in the present BJP term.
Herald visited the fish market located at Birla, Zuarinagar and it was noticed that most fisherfolk sell fish under makeshift shades next to the roadside. After speaking to a few of the women, it was understood that they have been selling fish for a long time but neither the local panchayat body nor the state government has provided them with a fish market. “We are paying sopo collection to the local panchayat, but despite this, our main right of having a full fledged market has not been fulfilled,” one of the women said.
Similarly, fisherfolk from Cortalim have been waiting for the ongoing market project to be completed. Presently, about 20-30 women selling fish in the market were shifted behind Sa Livra Hall at Pazentar in Cortalim but they have been facing issues too as the temporary shed provided to them is improper. “We face major inconveniences as the market is yet to be completed and this temporary structure that we have been using is leaking,” said another woman.
Fisherfolk from Velsao-Pale-Issorcim panchayat are selling fish by the road even though they have a market. According to available information, the women were provided with a structure and the same was commissioned in the year 2001. However, it was not built according to the wish and needs of the women and due to this, they have shifted from the market and started their business by the road.
The fish market in Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim village panchayat is also in shabby condition. There are nearly 8-10 women operating from the dilapidated market, lacking facilities like power supply and sanitation.
Cortalim is another village suffering from a lack of a proper fish market. Since these are predominantly high fish consuming villages, with many people from the fishing community residing here, the government has been called on to provide them with a proper full-fledged market with necessary infrastructure.
