VASCO: Panicked fish market vendors on Tuesday met Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar over rumours of a stay on the construction of the new fish market complex. The MLA asked them not to fall prey to such rumours, and assured them that work on the complex will start after Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Custodio D’Souza, who led the group of vendors, said that the local o MLA has called a joint meeting to discuss the issue of migrants selling fish illegally on the roadside in the Port town. He said that Salkar has assured them that the authorities will stop migrants involved in illegal sale of fish and that an additional shed will be erected for fruit vendors, who are currently occupying the temporary fish market shed.
According to D’Souza, Salkar has requested boat owners not to give/sell fish to migrants who sell them on the streets. He demanded that the police should detain and discourage such illegal hawkers.
Salkar said that the entire issue of people selling fish on roads starts with boat owners selling their fish to them, which is then resold on the roadside. “We will not allow any roadside vendors as they encroach the roads and footpaths and cause traffic congestion,” he said.
The MLA said that the ongoing work of the new fish market complex was stopped due to the accumulation of rain water, which had to be pumped out. He said that the contractor has requested them for time and has assured the authorities that he will restart the work after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. There are plans for underground parking, which have now been hampered due to accumulation of water, he added.
Mormugao Municipal Council chairperson Leo Rodrigues, other councillors, chief officer Jayant Tari, Vasco PI Kapil Nayak and other officials attended the meeting.
