Team Herald
MARGAO: The renovated retail fish market at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SPDA) market is all ready for its grand inauguration on June 18 even though its cost has gone up by nearly Rs 50 lakh since the work started. While it was estimated to cost around Rs 1.14 crore, the cost has now gone up to around Rs 1.70 crore.
The cost escalation has been primarily due to irregularities that were seen only when the work started and had to be corrected. For example after the floor tiles were removed, it was observed that the flooring was uneven and had to be redone to have it at one level.
Besides, there were other changes that were sought for after the work started like fitting only LED lights for the whole market instead of having tube lights. That the grills needed to be replaced was also realised once the work started as earlier it was presumed that they will only have to be refurbished.
South Goa Planning and Development Authority member Ankit Prabhudessai, who is a consultant for the renovation of the market and who designed the new look being an architect, said they have tried to give a Goa look to the retail market.
“We have used the Goan colour ‘Blue’ for the market as this is a colour prepared by Goans right from the time the Portuguese ruled us,” he said adding that the external as well as internal walls are fitted with screen printed azuleos which is part of Goan architecture.
When the market was inaugurated in 2001 it had only one outlet for the floor waste water and also the rain water. That was the first thing that needed to corrected and today the rain water will be directly going to the rain water drains while the floor waste water is connected to the sewerage system, said Ankit.
The inside of the retail fish market wears a total different look with black granite on the columns and the area from where the fish will be sold is totally revamped. The back portion that was used as a storage has been done away with and a plain granite platform is provided for storage.
“The vendor will sit on a stool and a stainless steel tray will be provided to each of them where they will place ice and over it display the fish they have for sale,” said Ankit adding that the trays will be fitted with a pipe that will drain the water formed from the melting ice directly in a draining system that is connected to the sewerage system.
Besides, every outlet has a connecting point to which a pipe can be connected and the vendor can clean up his or her area as and when required, Ankit said.
The flooring has changed completely and is now fitted with off white Tactile which is anti skid. Besides the entire electricity system has been changed with the meters now fitted on the walls instead of near the vendor and over 80 fans are fitted.
One of the challenges in renovating the market was treating the ventilators. The earlier grills had corroded and rain water used to enter the market area during monsoons. The ventilators are now fitted with concrete grills that not only look attractive but will also prevent rain water from entering the building.
Besides, the water proofing of the ceiling and particularly the area where the concrete grills are fitted has been strengthened to deal with the monsoons.
