MARGAO: In an embarrassment to the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and to some extent the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), the Margao Urban Health Centre (UHC) flagged various problems that have led to the prevailing unhygienic conditions at the SGPDA retail fish market and directed that immediate measures be taken to address these issues so as to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases.
“Taking cognizance of the complaint dated July 13, received from the President of the Fatorda Block Congress Committee, and considering the seriousness of the nature, this office thought it proper to conduct a site inspection, which was conducted on July 24 at 10.45 am,” said the Health Officer of Margao UHC, Dr Socorro Quadros.
“Some of the chambers/drainages of the retail fish market are blocked and water gets accumulated, which can lead to potential breeding places for mosquitoes,” said the Health Officer.
He also pointed out that waste of fish was found thrown opposite to the fish cutting stalls, which emits a foul smell.
“Garbage was noticed in the open space in front of the public toilet, which attracts stray cattle and dogs. Scattered plastic tea cups were noticed in the retail fish market,” said Dr Quadros.
“So, in view of the above observations, you (SGPDA Chairperson & MMC Chief Officer) are requested to take appropriate steps on priority basis as may be required to abate the said nuisance and to keep at bay, the occurrence of vector-borne diseases in the locality,” said the Health Officer.
While MMC collects garbage from the SGPDA retail market, the Authority had recently undertaken a mega cleanliness drive, targeting the drains and providing dustbins to the retail market vendors and those at the fish cutting stalls.
SGPDA Chairman Krishna Daji Salkar, who had recently brushed aside the issue of stench saying that it comes with the territory of selling fish, had said major repairs of the market would be carried once the vendors agree to pay a higher sopo fee.
Reacting to the decision of the Health Officer, The Fatorda Congress block also released a statement on Thursday evening while Congress leader Elvis Gomes suggested that each vendor be given a garbage bin as opposed to just keeping a select number around the market area.
