Priol residents demand new market for Banastarim

The Traditional Portuguese era Banastarim Bazaar which is famous for Matoli Bazaar during Ganesh Festival in Goa is located few metres away from Banastarim Bridge in Priol Constituency. This market is not only a buying and selling centre for many vendors but also a source of livelihood to many local farmers who grow vegetables, coconut, bananas and other fruits in surrounding panchayats.

This market is falling short of space for the rising vendors and customers since vendors from the neighbouring states also come to sell their wares besides the locals on the Weekly Market Day.

To meet the need of increasing population and vendors, locals are now demanding for construction of a new market or expansion of the existing market with all the required facilities along with some measures so as to avoid the congestion on the Banastarim-Marcel road which is passing from the Bazaar area.

According to locals this market is located in Bhoma Adkon Panchayat with Friday and Thursday being the weekly market days. Almost all types of goods, especially required for the kitchen, including dry fish, fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, readymade garments, etc, are sold here. 

People from surrounding areas like Tiverem Vargao, Bhom Adkon, Savoi-verem, Volvoi, Marcel beside people from neighbouring Old Goa, Khorlim, Amona, Naveli also visit this market to buy their household requirements.

According to Umesh Naik almost all type of household goods, readymade garments, dry fish on large scale, Bagayat fruits and produce are sold here. On Weekly Bazaar day there is rush of vendors and customers and it becomes inconvenient for movement of people. There are over 100 vendors coming to do their business during the weekly market. Many vendors struggle to get space as it has limited area.

During Ganesh Festival thousands of people came here to buy Matoli goods for which Banastarim Bazaar is well known all over Goa. People face great inconvenience in the small area.

Minister for Arts and Culture Govind Gaude, said he knows the difficulties faced by the people, vendors and customers here. He has planned a new Banastarim market as many farmers with agriculture produce which is the source of livelihood struggle to sell their produce in absence of a proper market area. 

This market would be constructed very soon, he says.